# US 2014/0196412 A1 · Mercaptan absorber for use with food

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- Number: US 2014/0196412 A1
- Document ID: US20140196412A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/744,003
- Filed: 2013-01-17
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17
- Assignees: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: George E. McKedy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196412A1

## CPC

- A61L 9/01: Deodorant compositions {(compositions released by contact with a liquid A61L9/05)}
- A23B 7/157: Inorganic compounds
- A61L 9/012: characterised by being in a special form, e.g. gels, emulsions {(A61L9/048 takes precedence)}
- A61L 9/014: containing sorbent material, e.g. activated carbon
- B65D 81/266: {for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants (B65D51/244, B65D51/30 take precedence)}
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

The invention provides a food decay odor controller which includes a mercaptan remover.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-26. (canceled)

### Claim 27

An article comprising:
a package defining an enclosed space;
a food product that gives off mercaptans disposed in the enclosed space; and
a mercaptan controller in communication with the enclosed space and reducing airborne mercaptans in the space to fewer than 10 parts-per-billion.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller at least one of absorbs or oxidizes the airborne mercaptans in the space.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller comprises at least one of copper oxide, potassium carbonate, sodium permanganate, or potassium permanganate.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller comprises at least one of hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, copper chloride, sodium chlorite, or sodium percarbonate.

### Claim 31 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller comprises activated carbon or activated alumina.

### Claim 32 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller comprises at least one of clay, molecular sieve or a natural zeolite.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The article of claim 32, wherein the mercaptan controller comprises a natural zeolite and the natural zeolite is chabazite or clinoptilolite.

### Claim 34 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller is impregnated into a polymer film.

### Claim 35 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller includes a clay carrier.

### Claim 36 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein the mercaptan controller is disposed in a water impervious and gas permeable container disposed in the enclosed space of the package.

### Claim 37 (depends on 27)

The article of claim 27, wherein, in the absence of the mercaptan absorber, the airborne mercaptans are present in the head space in an amount of about 550 parts per billion.

### Claim 38

An article comprising:
a package defining an enclosed space;
a food product comprising at least one of cabbage, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, onions or garlic disposed in the space; and
a mercaptan controller in communication with the space to at least one of absorb mercaptans or reacts with mercaptans given off by the food product.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The article of claim 38, wherein the food product is sliced or chopped prior to being disposed in the space.

### Claim 40 (depends on 38)

The article of claim 38, wherein the mercaptan controller absorbs mercaptans and comprises at least one of activated carbon, activated alumina, clay impregnated with a sodium hydroxide solution, molecular sieve, or a natural zeolite.

### Claim 41 (depends on 38)

The article of claim 38, wherein the mercaptan controller reacts with mercaptans and comprises potassium carbonate.

### Claim 42 (depends on 38)

The article of claim 38, wherein the mercaptan controller reacts with mercaptans and comprises at least one of sodium permanganate, potassium permanganate, copper chloride, copper oxide, hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, sodium chlorite, sodium percarbonate, potassium perchlorate, and sodium carbonate.

### Claim 43

A method comprising:
placing a food product that gives off mercaptans in a package;
providing a mercaptan controller in communication with a space surrounding the food product to at least one of absorb or oxidize the mercaptans given off by the food product; and
sealing the package,
wherein the odor controller reduces mercaptans in the enclosed space to fewer than 10 parts-per-billion.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The method of claim 43, wherein providing the mercaptan controller comprises adhering a carrier carrying the mercaptan controller to the package.

### Claim 45 (depends on 43)

The method of claim 43, wherein the food product comprises at least one of cabbage, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, onions, or garlic.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

The method of claim 45, wherein the food product is one of chopped or shredded.