Antimicrobial food package
AssigneesUniversity College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
InventorsMichael Morris, Joseph Kerry, Malco Cruz, Enda Cummins
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Abstract
A package comprising packaging material defining an enclosed space suitable for containing an item susceptible to microbial growth or spoilage is described. An interior of the package comprises at least one antimicrobial surface bearing an ordered nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures. A packaging material in the form of a sheet or film having a first face and a second face, in which at least a portion of one of the first or second faces of the film comprises a surface bearing a nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures, is also described.
Claims26
A package comprising packaging material defining an enclosed space suitable for containing an item susceptible to microbial growth or spoilage, an interior of the package comprising at least one antimicrobial surface bearing an ordered nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures.
A packaging material in the form of a sheet or film having a first face and a second face, in which at least a portion of one of the first or second faces of the film comprises a surface bearing an ordered nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures.
(canceled)
A method of preventing or inhibiting microbial growth on a comestible item contained within a package, which method employs a packaging material at least part of which comprises a surface bearing a nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nano structures, the method comprising a step of partially or completely enclosing the comestible item within the packaging material to form a package such that the surface bearing the nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures is disposed on an interior of the package.
A method of extending the shelf life of a packaged comestible item, which method employs a packaging material at least part of which comprises a surface bearing an ordered nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures, the method comprising a step of enclosing the comestible item within the packaging material to form a package such that the surface bearing the nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures is disposed on an interior of the package.
A method of preserving a packaged comestible item, which method employs a packaging material at least part of which comprises a surface bearing a nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures, the method comprising a step of enclosing the comestible item within the packaging material to form a package such that the surface bearing the nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures is disposed on an interior of the package, wherein the surface bearing the nanoarray of metal or metal oxide nanostructures is integrally formed with the packaging material, or take the form of an insert.
26-27. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.