# US 8,404,340 B2 · Permeable films > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,404,340 B2 - Document ID: US8404340B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/063,414 - Filed: 2006-08-11 - Published: 2010-06-24 - Granted: 2013-03-26 - Earliest claimed: 2005-08-11 - Assignees: Lynden William Trickey; Jeffery Ernest Peck - Applicants: Lynden William Trickey; Jeffrey Ernest Peck - Inventors: Lynden William Trickey; Jeffrey Ernest Peck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8404340B2 ## CPC - C08K 5/09: Carboxylic acids; Metal salts thereof; Anhydrides thereof - C08J 3/22: using masterbatch techniques - C08J 5/18: Manufacture of films or sheets - C08K 3/22: of metals - C08K 3/34: Silicon-containing compounds - Y10T 428/1376: Foam or porous material containing - Y10T 428/24273: including aperture - Y10T 428/24322: Composite web or sheet - Y10T 428/249953: Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.] - Y10T 428/249971: Preformed hollow element-containing - Y10T 428/249973: Mineral element - Y10T 428/249978: Voids specified as micro - Y10T 428/249979: Specified thickness of void-containing component [absolute or relative] or numerical cell dimension - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) - C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A permeable film or container for use in extending the storage life of a foodstuff or produce is provided. The film or container is formed from a plastics component, a porous component having a particle size smaller than the thickness of the film, and an acid component selected from at least one carboxylic acid compound in free or salt form. The permeable film is adapted for controlling the environment surrounding the foodstuff to reduce its respiration rate or senescence by controlling the transfer of gases, particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide, and build up of moisture. In one preferred embodiment the present invention provides a permeable film for use in the storage of a foodstuff, formed from a polymer component, a clay activated base component, and sorbic acid in free or salt form. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A permeable film for use in extending the storage life of a foodstuff, wherein the film is formed from a composition of components comprising: a) a plastics component; b) a porous base component comprising a plurality of particles having a particle size smaller than the thickness of the film; and c) an acid component comprising a carboxylic acid provided in the form of sorbic acid in free or salt form. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the composition of components is selected to form a film positionable with respect to or at least partially defining a container for use in controlling the environment surrounding the foodstuff to reduce its respiration rate or senescence. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the plastics component is present in an amount in the range of from about 75% to 98% by weight in the film. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the plastics component comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, metallocenes, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose acetate, nylon, polyethylene terephthalates, biodegradable polymers, ionomers, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the porous base component is capable of generating a microporous structure in the film to facilitate gas permeability for controlling gas transfer to and from a foodstuff covered with said film. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The film according to claim 5, wherein the porous base component includes a mineral additive. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The film according to claim 6, wherein the mineral additive includes a clay activated base or at least one activated earth mineral. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the form of the sorbic acid is potassium sorbate or calcium sorbate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the acid component is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.01 to 10% by weight in the film. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of perforations to facilitate gas permeability. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The film according to claim 10, whereby the number and size of the perforations are adapted for application with the type of foodstuff at a specific range of storage temperatures. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the film is substantially transparent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the composition of components is selected to form a flexible film adapted to have a pliability and surface tension suitable for use in covering a foodstuff. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the composition of the film comprises: a) from about 94.5% to about 96.5% by weight in the film of the plastics component; b) from about 3 5% to about 5.5% by weight in the film of the porous base component; and c) from about 0.05% to about 0.525% by weight in the film of the acid component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The film according to claim 1, wherein the composition of the film comprises from about 3.5% to about 5.5% by weight in the film of the porous base component. ### Claim 16 A permeable film for use in extending the storage life of a foodstuff, wherein the film is formed from a composition of components comprising: a) a plastics component; b) a porous base component comprising a plurality of particles having a particle size smaller than the thickness of the film; and c) an acid component comprising at least one carboxylic acid provided in the form of sorbic acid in free or salt form; wherein the particle size of the particles of the porous base component is in the range of from about 20 to 150 microns, with the proviso that the particle size is less than the thickness of the film. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The film according to claim 16, wherein the porous base component is present in an amount in the range of from about 2% to 20% by weight in the film. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The film according to claim 17, wherein the porous base component is present in an amount in the range of from about 6% to 9% by weight in the film. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The film according to claim 18, wherein the porous base component is present in an amount of about 7.5%.