81 patents in this list

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Light exposure accelerates food degradation through multiple pathways - from UV-induced oxidation to visible light catalyzed reactions that break down nutrients and affect color. Modern food packaging must block wavelengths from 200-900 nm while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, with measurement standards requiring at least 80% light blocking efficiency across this spectrum.

The core engineering challenge lies in developing materials that provide comprehensive light protection while remaining food-safe, cost-effective, and compatible with existing packaging manufacturing processes.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including nanoparticle-enhanced polymers, active barrier films with selective wavelength blocking, multi-layer composites with polarizing elements, and intelligent coating technologies. These and other approaches focus on practical implementation in commercial food packaging while maintaining recyclability and regulatory compliance.

1. Composite Food Packaging Film with Carbon Dioxide Release and Nanoclay Barrier Layers

CSIR Company, CSIR, 2024

A food packaging film that extends the shelf life of acidic products like wine and juice by releasing carbon dioxide into the headspace when in contact with the acid. The film has a composite inner layer made of polyethylene (PE) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) that absorbs carbon dioxide from the acidic product. The CO2 is then slowly released into the headspace to displace oxygen and prevent oxidation. The passive barrier layer is based on nanoclay to further protect against oxygen and light.

2. Multilayer Packaging Film with Ultra-Thin Layers and Sharp Bandedge for UV Light Blocking

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, 2024

Packaging film for protecting light-sensitive materials that blocks UV light while allowing visible light transmission. The film has multiple ultra-thin layers with an average thickness of less than 500 nm. The film has a sharp bandedge between UV and visible light ranges. The UV transmission is less than 15% while visible light transmission is greater than 70%. The bandedge slope is greater than 3%/nm. This provides effective UV blocking and visual inspection without color shifts.

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3. Multilayer Food Packaging Film with Integrated Light-Shielding, Cushioning, and Ventilation Features

JINJIANG ZHONGHUI PRINTING PACKAGING CO LTD, 2024

Food packaging film with a light-shielding structure to prevent food deterioration from light exposure during transportation and storage. The film has a base layer, a first light-shielding layer, a second light-shielding layer, bubble films connected to the light layers, and ventilation holes. The light layers block light from reaching the food, the bubble films provide cushioning, the ventilation holes allow airflow, and printing and antimicrobial layers can be added. This balances protection against light, cushioning, airflow, and functionality like printing and antimicrobials.

4. Oxygen Absorbing Material Comprising Iron Powder, Titanium Oxide, Calcium Oxide, and Polyolefin Resin

MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY INC, 2024

Oxygen absorbing packaging material with improved light blocking and odor suppressing properties while maintaining oxygen absorption. The oxygen absorbing material contains a specific ratio of iron powder, titanium oxide, calcium oxide, and polyolefin resin. This composition allows the oxygen absorbing properties of iron powder to be combined with improved light blocking and odor suppression from the other components. The oxygen absorbing material can be used as a film or layer in packaging applications like food containers or cover materials to provide extended shelf life.

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5. Multilayer Light-Blocking Packaging Blank with High Barrier Film and Indented Base Paper

SHANDONG BIHAI MACHINERY CO LTD, SHANDONG BIHAI MACHINERY TECH CO LTD, SHANDONG BIHAI MACHINERY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

A light-blocking packaging blank for food containers that replaces aluminum foil to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining oxygen barrier properties. The blank consists of a sequence of layers: a first PE layer, a base paper layer (optional), a high barrier film, a second PE layer, and a fourth PE layer. The high barrier film and second PE layer are bonded together using an adhesive layer. The base paper layer has indentations on both sides. The second PE layer contains color masterbatch. This structure provides light-blocking properties comparable to aluminum foil while using less material. The high barrier film and base paper indentations improve oxygen barrier properties.

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6. Starch-Based Film with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Melanin-Like Precursor Crosslinked Network

JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY, 2023

Protective starch-based film with long-term bacteriostasis and ultraviolet shielding properties for food packaging. The film is made by self-assembly of metallic polyphenol coated zinc oxide nanoparticles and self-polymerization of a melanin-like precursor with starch. The metallic polyphenol nanoparticles provide antibacterial activity, ultraviolet shielding, and mechanical strength. The melanin-like precursor crosslinks the starch and nanoparticles into a network. The film has high ultraviolet shielding, bacteriostasis, and transparency compared to conventional packaging materials.

US20230383075A1-patent-drawing

7. Composite Polyvinyl Alcohol Film with Modified Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles

GUIZHOU MATERIAL INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, 2023

Composite polyvinyl alcohol preservative film with low luminous transmittance for light-proof packaging of fruits and vegetables to prevent spoilage and discoloration. The film contains modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol solution. The modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles have a particle size range of 200-1000 nm. This composite film provides better light-blocking properties compared to pure polyvinyl alcohol film due to the nanoparticles scattering light. The nanoparticles also improve film compactness. The modified silicon dioxide is made by reacting silicon dioxide with a silane compound in toluene, then acid treating. The composite film is prepared by dissolving polyvinyl alcohol in acid, adding the nanoparticles, antimicrobial, and stirring before defoaming

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8. Curcumin-Grafted Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion with Integrated Ammonia-Induced Color Change and Enhanced UV Barrier Properties

CORNELL UNIV, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, 2023

Active and intelligent food packaging made by grafting curcumin onto polypropylene using reactive extrusion. The curcumin is covalently bound to the polymer backbone to prevent migration. The curcumin in the packaging material provides antioxidant and radical scavenging properties to prevent food spoilage. The packaging also changes color in the presence of ammonia, indicating spoilage. The curcumin-grafted polypropylene has improved UV barrier properties compared to native polypropylene. The reactive extrusion method allows scalable production of the active and intelligent packaging.

9. Nanocellulose and Nano Calcium Carbonate-Based Edible Coatings with Barrier Properties

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, 2023

Edible coatings for protecting foods like fruits, vegetables, and processed foods from moisture loss, UV damage, and nutrient leaching. The coatings are made from nanocellulose and nano calcium carbonate. The coatings are edible, transparent, and provide barrier properties against water, gases, and UV light. They prevent moisture loss, prevent UV damage, and prevent nutrient leaching in fruits and vegetables. The coatings can be applied before or after harvest to mitigate post-harvest damage. The coatings can also be used to protect frozen foods from drip loss during thawing.

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10. Polyester and Secondary Polymer Blend Container with Uniform High Opacity and Whiteness

COLORMATRIX EUROPE LTD, 2023

Containers, like PET bottles, that protect the contents from light degradation while maintaining a white appearance. The containers have a base, side wall, and neck. The side wall contains a polyester like PET and a secondary polymer YY like cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) or polymethylpentene (PMP). This combination provides high opacity and whiteness throughout the side wall. The neck section also has the same polymer blend to match the side wall whiteness. This prevents a visible contrast between the neck and side wall that would be aesthetically unacceptable.

11. White Opaque PET Bottle with Consistent Lightness Using COC or PMP and Light Shielding Pigment

COLORMATRIX EUROPE LTD, 2023

Packaging containers like PET bottles that are white and opaque to block light from degrading the contents. The containers have a base, side wall, and neck. The side wall has a lightness (L*) of at least 90 and the neck has a lightness of at least 84. This prevents a noticeable difference in color between the neck and side wall. The opaqueness is achieved by using materials like cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) or polymethylpentene (PMP) in the container body along with polyester. The COC or PMP is mixed with a light shielding pigment during preform production to ensure consistent whiteness throughout the bottle.

12. Composite Packaging Material with Polarizing Film Layer for Broad-Spectrum Light Blocking

THE COCA-COLA CO, 2023

Packaging material that blocks light and extends shelf life of light-sensitive products. The packaging composite material has a layer made of polarizing films that provides broad-spectrum light blocking. The polarizing films can be joined together to form the polarizing layer. Surface layers can be attached to the outer sides of the polarizing layer. The composite material can be used as packaging or labels for light-sensitive products like food, medicine, or building materials. The thickness of the polarizing layer is 20 nm-10 mm, with each polarizing film 10 nm-1 mm thick. This composite material provides a simple, wide-spectrum light blocking effect for packaging and labels to extend shelf life of light-sensitive products.

13. Composite Photo-Oxygen Barrier with Light-Blocking and Oxygen Absorbing Components

QUANZHOU YUEKE PIGMENT CO LTD, 2023

A photo-oxygen barrier for packaging materials that protects light and oxygen sensitive products like food, beverages, medications, and cosmetics. The barrier is a composite material containing 1-65% of a light-blocking composition, 1-30% of an active oxygen absorber, and 5-98% of a base material. The light-blocking composition can contain titanium dioxide, aluminum powder, and carbon black. The active oxygen absorber contains cobalt. The barrier can be made by melt extrusion or mixing the components in a base material.

14. Heat Shrinkable Film with Multi-Layer Light Blocking Label for Container Recycling

BROOK & WHITTLE LTD, 2023

Recycling a container comprising an external surface that faces the external surface of the container. The recycling includes depositing an indicia layer on a heat shrinkable film; optionally depositing a high opacity layer on the indicia layer; and depositing a light blocking composition on the indicia layer, on the heat shrinkable film, or on the high opacity layer, wherein the light blocking layer includes one or more light blocking components, and wherein the label is capable of blocking at least 80% of incident light having wavelengths in a range of 200 nm to 900 nm.

15. Polyethylene Terephthalate-Polymer Blend Compositions with Low Light Transmission for Packaging Materials

PLASTIPAK PACKAGING INC, 2023

Light barrier compositions for packaging materials that provide better light protection for sensitive products like milk without sacrificing visual appearance. The compositions contain a blend of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with other polymers like polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), and polymers with heteroatoms like nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and halogen. The blends have low light transmission in the UV and visible range below 1.5%. The compositions can be used in container walls or preforms to protect packaged products from light degradation without compromising visual appeal.

16. Cellulosic Structure with Metal Oxide and Tie Layers for Enhanced Barrier Properties

WESTROCK MWV LLC, 2023

A recyclable high barrier cellulosic structure for forming cellulosic containers that can resist oxygen, moisture, and light penetration. The structure includes a cellulosic board substrate, a metal oxide layer on the substrate, and a tie layer between them. The cellulosic board substrate has low average and maximum transmittance in the UV-visible light spectrum. The metal oxide layer provides additional barrier properties. The tie layer connects the substrate and metal oxide layer. The structure can be used to form containers like paper-based food packaging.

17. Electron Beam Irradiated and Mechanically Treated Bacterial Nanocellulose Film with Carboxyl Groups and Multilayer Structure

KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, 2023

Bacterial nanocellulose transparent film with barrier properties for packaging applications. The film is made by electron beam irradiating and mechanically treating wet bacterial cellulose to form nanocellulose fibers with carboxyl groups. The fibers are then filtered and dried into a multilayer structure. Alkali treatment and bleaching further improve properties. The film provides oxygen, moisture, and UV barriers.

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18. Laminated Sleeve with Neoprene, Mylar, and Rubber Layers for UV Light Blocking and Container Grip

VEACH JOSHUA, 2023

UV-protective sleeve for mason jars and other containers to prevent light-sensitive products from being degraded by UV rays when stored in bright areas. The sleeve has a laminated construction with an outer neoprene layer for insulation, a middle Mylar layer to block UV light, and an inner rubber layer for jar grip. The sleeve covers the jar sidewalls and has a pocket for labels. It provides UV protection, insulation, and jar retention without obstructing access.

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19. Composite Beer Container with Colored Outer Shrinkable Member for Light Blockage

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD, 2023

A composite beer container that prevents sunlight odor in beer by using a colored outer shrinkable member. The composite container is made by blow molding a colorless and transparent preform and a colored outer shrinkable member together. The colored member shrinks when heated, securing the preform inside. This prevents light from entering the container and degrading the beer. The inner preform is still transparent to see the beer. The colored outer member blocks sunlight.

20. Graphene-Reinforced Polymer Composite for Enhanced Barrier Resistance in Packaging Materials

RUTGERS THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY, 2023

Packaging material with improved barrier resistance to gases, liquids, and UV light using graphene-reinforced polymers. The packaging material is made by exfoliating graphite particles in a molten polymer using shear forces. This converts the graphite into graphene nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer matrix. The graphene-polymer composite has significantly enhanced barrier properties compared to unreinforced polymers. The graphene nanoparticles provide tortuous paths for permeants, strong bonding with the polymer, and reduced gaps between particles. This improves barrier resistance to gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and liquids like water.

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21. Packaging Container for Contact Lenses with Toner-Infused Light-Blocking Plastic

22. Polyethylene Terephthalate-Polymer Blends with Heteroatom-Containing Polymers for Low Transmittance in 400-700 nm Range

23. Multilayer Food Packaging Film with Integrated Light-Shielding Structure

24. Multi-Layer Adhesive Packaging Material with Light-Shielding and Oxygen-Blocking Layers

25. Polymeric Compositions with Encapsulated Light-Modulating Additives and Dual-Polymer Matrix

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