TITLE

METHOD FOR DETERMINING LIGHT PENETRATION OF A

PACKAGE SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/043,157 filed June 24, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to light protection of packaged goods. Particularly, the invention relates to methods and devices for determining a light penetration of a complete package system to identify and address light penetration inhibition deficiency in package systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The evaluation of the light protection and light penetration performance of packages for packaged goods applications such as packaged food, beverages and personal care consumer products and industrial products as well as devices to accomplish these evaluations are of essential need as described, for example, in commonly owned WO 2013/163421 , the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0004] As described in WO 2013/163421 and commonly owned WO 2013/162947, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference, methods and devices to evaluate the light protection performances of packaging materials are described. Using these methods and devices, the performances of individual packaging materials comprising the components of a package can be assessed to ensure they meet the light protection performance requirements. [0005] While it is desirable to have the light protection performance of packaging components that comprise a complete package be similar as discussed, for example in commonly owned WO 2018/183826, it may not be practical to match the performances of the light protection components or package features. In such circumstances, it is useful to understand how the overall light protection performance of a package is influenced by the performances of the various components and features comprising the package system, particularly when the performances of the components and features are known to be different from one another.

[0006] For example, a package system may be comprised of a container and corresponding closure. In another example, a package system may comprise a bottle, a layer or wrap over a portion of the bottle, a print over a portion of this wrap, and a bottle closure. In these examples, different light protection performances could be measured for each of these components. However, the teachings of WO 2013/163421 and WO 2013/162947 do not describe the composite impact of different components on the performance of the complete package. Thus, a package designer, fabricator, or user cannot predict the light protection performance of a package system based upon the performances of the individual components comprising the package.

[0007] Generally, it is understood that the performance of the overall package system is related to the performances of the individual components comprising the package; however, this quantitative relationship has not been determined nor reported. More so, there may be several factors that would influence this relationship such as the surface area of the various materials presented to light, their uniformity, and the surface area to volume ratio of the packaging. Thus, it has been determined that the teachings of WO 2013/163421 are insufficient alone to achieve this goal of quantifying light penetration inhibition capability of a package system and that further methods and devices are needed to achieve this goal.

[0008] In other considerations, a packaging material may be homogeneous such that a sample of the packaging material is representative of the photoprotective performance of a larger package fabricated from the material; however, there are several package formats where variation in the material occurs throughout the package construct rendering the comprising packaging material inhomogeneous. For example, in a molded plastic packaging article, the thickness of the wall of the resultant package will differ based upon the features in the mold (e.g., package shape, package handle) and thus different performances, including those related to light penetration, may result due to this inhomogeneity.

[0009] In another view, a package may be inhomogeneous by design. Examples of designed inhomogeneous packages include, for example, a package where a label only covers a portion of the package surface, a container with a closure that is comprised of a different material and/or different color versus the container, or a package that has printing directly on the package surface that does not uniformly cover the package surface. Such inhomogeneous packages may exhibit inhomogeneous light protection and penetration properties.

[0010] A package may be inhomogeneous in composition to provide functionality to the package. The composition of a package may include opaque portions and translucent window portions to allow partial viewing of the contents of the package. A fill line indicator feature on the side wall of a package is an example of such a feature where an opaque package body intentionally has a translucent strip translating on a package wall, typically limited in width to less than 1 cm, that allows viewing of the level of the contents inside of the package body. Thus, in this example, the inhomogeneous properties of the package are desirable to serve the function of revealing the fill line of the package contents. With methods and devices to assess and quantify the light penetration impact of such intended features in a package system, it can be determined if they are of acceptable design.

[0011] For these reasons, it is useful to determine a method and device that will allow for evaluation of a complete package system that accounts for the differences in light protection or light penetration that may be present throughout the package including both intentional design features as well as unintended variability. Sometimes these differences are evident in a package system (e.g., different colored components of a package system), but sometimes it is difficult to know if such differences are present (e.g., thickness variation in the wall of a package body). For example, unanticipated defects may occur in package fabrication resulting in inhomogeneity of the package, for example in thickness and composition. The means to test a package system for performances to assess for such inhomogeneity and their impacts is needed.

[0012] Further, the means to test a package, identify performance issues with inhomogeneity, and then address those issues with modifications to the package system design or components are also important considerations. The teaching of commonly owned US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/937,441 , Method for Determining a Photoprotective Performance Value of a Package System, filed 14 November 2019, provides methods to assess the performance of a complete package system by monitoring the contents of the complete package system. In this approach, the ability to produce results both in an accelerated time frame under well controlled conditions is achieved. This method may allow for a performance issue with light protection or penetration but accomplishes this objective with indirect evaluations on the package contents. Thus, the performance is related to specific package contents and not a direct assessment or measurement of the package performance itself.

[0013] More specifically, the invention of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/937,441 provides novel methods to place a complete package system filled with a sample into a light exposure chamber as a complete unit with periodic monitoring of the contents of the packaging system. Through this approach, it can be determined how the components of a complete package system perform collectively by monitoring the changes to the contents of a package.

[0014] While the advancements of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/937,441 allow a complete package system to be explored, the approach is an indirect measure of light protection performance by inferring the impact of light entering the package system by monitoring changes to the contents of the package. Thus, this art provides a complete package system assessment that is dependent upon the package contents and not a direct assessment of the package system itself. A package system may exhibit different performances based upon the chosen contents to be placed inside the package and monitored using the methods of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/937,441 . Further, the chosen contents may be difficult to monitor for change based on the complexity and precision of the analytical tools required for the content analysis. It may be a challenge to produce analytical tools for the range of contents desired for use in a package system. While specific contents for change may be useful for certain applications of package systems, additional methods that do not rely on specific contents are needed to complement these approaches and provide a package system assessment that is fully independent of the contents to be placed in the package system. [0015] According to an aspect of the invention the light penetration into a package system is directly measured through an inventive strategy that monitors the light inside of a package system, or the light penetration. This approach is unique in that it does not infer the properties of the package by monitoring change of the package contents but rather assesses and measures the light environment inside of the package directly. Thus, the light penetration approach presented in the application provides a measurement of the package performance directly and independent of the package contents. This light penetration approach comprises a new method for package system assessment, devices to accomplish the method, and package strategies to mitigate identified light penetration defects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The invention provides methods to measure light penetration of a package system comprising: a) providing at least one light sensor to collect data; b) providing a light condition; c) placing a light sensor into the package system each in a defined position; d) exposing the package system to the light condition for at least one duration while collecting at least one data point with the sensor; and e) using the at least one data point to obtain at least one light penetration metric for the package system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following definitions and abbreviations are to be use for the interpretation of the claims and the specification.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," "contains" or "containing," or any other variation thereof, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. For example, a composition, a mixture, a process, a method, an article, or an apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0018] As used herein, the term "consists of," or variations such as "consist of" or "consisting of," as used throughout the specification and claims, indicate the inclusion of any recited integer or group of integers, but that no additional integer or group of integers may be added to the specified method, structure, or composition.

[0019] As used herein, the term "consists essentially of," or variations such as “consist essentially of” or "consisting essentially of," as used throughout the specification and claims, indicate the inclusion of any recited integer or group of integers, and the optional inclusion of any recited integer or group of integers that do not materially change the basic or novel properties of the specified method, structure or composition.

[0020] Also, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" preceding an element or component of the invention are intended to be nonrestrictive regarding the number of instances, i.e. , occurrences of the element or component. Therefore "a" or "an" should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular word form of the element or component also includes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to be singular. [0021] The term "invention" or "present invention" as used herein is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the application.

[0022] As used herein, the term "about" modifying the quantity of an ingredient or reactant of the invention employed refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handling procedures used for making concentrates or solutions in the real world; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients employed to make the compositions or to carry out the methods; and the like. The term "about" also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from a particular initial mixture. Whether modified or not by the term "about", the claims include equivalents to the quantities. In one embodiment, the term "about" means within 10% of the reported numerical value, preferably within 5% of the reported numerical value.

[0023] The invention provides methods for measuring the light penetration of a package system, the method comprising: a) providing at least one light sensor to collect data; b) providing a light condition; c) placing a light sensor into the package system each in a defined position; d) exposing the package system to the light condition for at least one duration while collecting at least one data point with the sensor; and e) using the at least one data point to obtain at least one light penetration metric for the package system.

[0024] In an aspect of the invention, a package system having known or unknown properties can be identified for evaluation. In an aspect of the invention the package system can be obtained from a consumer goods product or from a package producer or a master batch converter. In another aspect, the package system may be fabricated as a prototype using laboratory scale equipment. The package system could be designed for uses in consumer goods products or industrial goods products. The package system may be intended for use to contain goods in retail environments, distribution, storage, or use and consumption by the final user or consumer.

[0025] According to an aspect of the invention, a light sensor can be placed into a package system, the package system can be placed in a light condition, and the sensor can record at least one data point to obtain a light protection metric for the package system.

[0026] In an aspect of the invention, a device can be used to measure the light penetration of a package system. The light condition may include at least one light source according to a further aspect of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the device may provide or direct the light source to a defined or indexed package position. This indexed package position may be defined relative to features of the package system.

[0027] The light source can be coupled with a light sensor using a device of the invention. In one embodiment, the light source and sensor can be coupled mechanically. In an embodiment where the light source and sensor are mechanically coupled, they may comprise a device with each affixed on arms of a caliper that allows them to be positioned for example on either side of a packaging system construct to allow for evaluation across the package system wall or face. In another embodiment of a device of the invention, the light source and sensor are coupled by a magnetic force where the light source and sensor have mated magnetic components that can affix the light source and sensor across a package system construct, such as a package wall or component. [0028] Package systems could be monitored by sensors and then the package system with sensor could be removed from the light exposure condition to collect data from the sensors. A sensor in a package system may transmit data while still within the package system under light exposure conditions.

[0029] Data collected from the package evaluations can be used to determine a light penetration value or metric which may be an absolute value of light penetration or a relative value of the light penetration of a package compared to the measurement of a reference system, such as the sensor in a reference package or of the sensor outside of the package. The light penetration value or metric can in turn be used to modify the package components or features to obtain improved light penetration performances.

Package systems:

[0030] Package systems can comprise any suitable material or multiple materials. The package system may comprise layers of different material compositions where layers can be removable or integrated with one another. Package systems can include a container portion and in an aspect of the invention can further comprise at least one opening or closure portion. The container opening or closure can be the same or different material. The container, opening, and closure can be any suitable size and/or shape. In an aspect of the invention the package system container comprises a wall thickness of from about 1 mil to about 100 mil. The materials may be rigid or flexible. The package system may be a rigid bottle with a threaded closure. The package system may be a flexible pouch with a resealable opening. The package system may have a closure that can be removed and replaced to reseal the package or may contain an opening to remove the contents that is not intended to be reclosed or resealed. The package system may comprise several components which may comprise different materials. The package system may include plastic, glass, paper, metal, or other materials of construction.

Light condition:

[0031] Suitable light conditions can be of any shape or size and include at least one light source.

[0032] A light condition may be a defined light exposure chamber. The chamber light intensity can be monitored to ensure consistency.

[0033] Within the light conditions, means to orient or mount package systems in a controlled fashion can be provided. As the intensity of light reaching a package system will depend upon the distance and orientation to the light condition, package systems can be placed at defined distances and positions as oriented from the light condition.

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of suitable light conditions are shown in the Figures and discussed herein below.

[0035] The light condition can be provided by a light source and orientation of the package system relative to the light source. The light source can be any suitable light source to produce the desired light intensity, stability, and spectral characteristics.

[0036] The orientation of the package system to the light source can be obtained with a positioning tray, stand, or holder. The orientation is defined by the distance to the light and the way in which the light is in contact with the package surfaces.

[0037] The light source may be located outside of the package and directed to the package surface. The light source may be omnidirectional and present to reach all or most surfaces of the package. When the light source is directed from outside the package, the light sensor is located within the package system. [0038] In other aspects of the invention, the light source is placed inside of the package system. It can be directional or omnidirectional. The light sensor can be located outside of the package at a fixed distance from the package. The light sensor could be mechanically positioned and translated about the package. The light sensor may be in a fixed position and the package may be translated. Each of these embodiments enables collection of the light penetration metric of the package system under the light conditions.

[0039] While the package may be substantially absent of contents, it may be full of contents, such as fluids. Suitable lights and sensors could be used in similar manners to monitor the light penetration properties of a package filled with the fluid for example. Likewise, a light condition could be created in the package filled with contents, such as a fluid.

[0040] Depending upon the needs of the experiment, light sources employed may be artificial and may include incandescent light sources, fluorescent light sources, arc discharge lamps, LEDs (light emitting diodes), and/or laser light sources. For example, these light sources include but are not limited to carbon arc, mercury vapor, xenon arc, tungsten filament, or halogen bulbs. In one embodiment, the light source is a xenon arc lamp.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the light source can be controlled. The light source can provide an intensity of between about 0.001 W/cm ² and about 5 W/cm ² as measured at the defined monitoring position. In other embodiments, the light source is capable of providing an intensity of at least about 0.001 W/cm ² , 0.005 W/cm ² , 0.007 W/cm ² , 0.01 W/cm ² , 0.05 W/cm ² , 0.1 W/cm ² , 1 W/cm ² , 2.5 W/cm ² , or 5 W/cm ² as measured at the defined monitoring position. In further embodiments, the light source can provide an intensity of not more than about 0.001 W/cm ² , 0.005 W/cm ² , 0.007 W/cm ² , 0.01 W/cm ² , 0.05 W/cm ² , 0.1 W/cm ² , 1 W/cm ² , 2.5 W/cm ² , or 5 W/cm ² as measured at the defined monitoring position. In further embodiments, the light source can provide an intensity between about 0.005 W/cm ² and about 4 W/cm ² , between about 0.007 W/cm ² and about 3 W/cm ² , between about 0.01 W/cm ² and about 2.5 W/cm ² , between about 0.05 W/cm ² and about 2 W/cm ² , or between about 0.1 W/cm ² and about 1 W/cm ² as measured at the defined monitoring position.

[0042] In other embodiments, the light source is capable of producing light with a spectral signature of about 200 nm to about 2000 nm. In other embodiments, the light source is capable of providing light at a wavelength of at least about 200 nm, 220 nm, 240 nm, 260 nm, 280 nm, 290 nm, 300 nm, 350 nm, 400 nm, 450 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 600 nm, 650 nm, 700 nm, 750 nm, 800, nm,

900 nm, 1000 nm, 1250 nm, 1500 nm, 1750 nm, or 2000 nm. In further embodiments, the light source is capable of providing light at a wavelength of not more than about 200 nm, 220 nm, 240 nm, 260 nm, 280 nm, 290 nm, 300 nm, 350 nm, 400 nm, 450 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 600 nm, 650 nm, 700 nm, 750 nm, 800, nm, 900 nm,

1000 nm, 1250 nm, 1500 nm, 1750 nm, or 2000 nm. In still further embodiments, the light source is capable of providing a spectral signature of about 220 nm to about 1750 nm, about 240 to about 1500 nm, about 260 to about 1250 nm, about 290 to about 1000 nm, about 200 to about 400 nm, about 350 to about 750 nm, or above about 750 nm.

[0043] In additional embodiments, the light source is capable to provide spectral signature including portions of the UV spectrum. In certain embodiments UV spectrums like that present in solar electromagnetic radiation are desired, including UVA (315 to 400 nm) and UVB (280 to 315 nm) components. Such soft UV and intermediate UV light are components of solar electromagnetic radiation. [0044] Any electromagnetic radiation source [LED, halogen, fluorescent, luminescent, incandescent, arc lamp , LASER, MASER, X-ray, radio, microwave, natural sources such as the sun,] either as produced or conditioned [filtered (low-pass, high-pass, bandpass, multi-bandpass, etc.), polarized (described via any Jones vector, coherency matrix, Poincare Sphere, etc.), amplified via gain medium, attenuated, etc.] either coherent or incoherent, and in any combination of the above] can be used.

[0045] In other embodiments, the light source is not controlled. The light source may be natural light, such as sunlight and subject to variability due to weather, season, time of day, and location on earth. The light source may be artificial but not under control such as light in a retail environment or light that is a composite of many sources (e.g., artificial and natural sources) in a commercial space that is not in full control while measurement data is collected.

[0046] The light from the light source may comprise a spectral filter as may the light sensor detection elements.

Sensors and Sensor Placement in a Package System:

[0047] Sensors that collect light data are useful for the invention. Sensors may collect data for a broad portion of light spectrum or may collect data for specific portion of the spectrum or for a specific wavelength in the spectrum. Sensors may collect data continuously or at discreet intervals. Sensors may have filters, mirrors, or optics to direct or concentrate the light interacting with the detector of the sensor.

[0048] The sensor may monitor other data such as temperature or humidity but sensors may exclusively monitor light properties.

[0049] The sensor may use any detection strategy know in the art to determine the light intensity or light penetration. The sensor may be digital and measure a numeric signal directly. The sensor may collect data that is not numeric. For example, the sensor may be a color change indicator and require further evaluation of the color change, perhaps using another device or system, to determine its associated quantitative value.

[0050] The sensor may collect certain portions of the electromagnetic spectrum such as infrared, UV, or visible signatures. The sensor may collect data as an image, such as a camera, and data processing may be needed to convert the image data into a light penetration metric.

[0051] In some embodiments, sensors may be controlled directly yet in others the sensor is controlled using wireless or wired control systems. In one example, a sensor may connect by Bluetooth functionality to be controlled by a mobile smart phone.

[0052] In one embodiment a light sensor can be inserted through the package opening where the closure is affixed to place the sensor in the package. In another embodiment, the package can be partially deconstructed to allow for a sensor to be placed inside the package and then the package can be reconstructed with the sensor within the package. For example, a paper carton could be opened at the seams to place a sensor within the carton and then resealed into the original package conformation with adhesive in a way that a typical user of the package may not use to reseal the package.

[0053] In an aspect of this invention, the package system under evaluation contains at least one sensor. The at least one sensor can be positioned at a defined location in the package where the defined location is positioned relative to the light source interacting with the package system and package features. The sensor can be placed on the base of the package. In another embodiment the sensor can be affixed in the package with adhesive material. The location of the placed or affixed sensor can be for example on the base of the package, on the wall of the package, or under the closure of a package. Based on the shape of the package, the sensor could be placed at other locations in the package. A sensor placement may allow for specific package features to be monitored, such as the closure, handle, fill indicator, or other distinct features.

[0054] In other embodiments, multiple sensors can be placed into a single package at different orientations and locations within the one package system.

[0055] In another embodiment when light penetration may be directional, sensor placement can be directed to the feature of light source direction. For example, a fill line indicator feature may exist on one side wall of a package and the sensor may be positioned to assess light penetration through this feature.

Light Exposure & Sensor Data Collection

[0056] The package system can be placed in a light condition and light exposure can be initiated. Data collection may begin before, upon, or after the lighting condition is provided. Analysis of data can allow for removal of data points that are not collected under the desired condition.

[0057] According to an aspect of the invention, the light penetration into the package can be monitored continuously by the sensor during the light exposure or discretely by pausing the light exposure for evaluations under certain conditions or by taking intermittent measurements.

[0058] The package system can be placed in a light condition, and the sensor can record at least one data point. Package systems could be monitored by removing them from the light exposure condition and collecting data from the sensors. Data from the sensors in the package systems may transmit the data while still within the package system under light exposure conditions.

Light Penetration Metric

[0059] Data collected from the package evaluations can be used to determine a light penetration metric or value which may be an absolute value of light penetration or a relative value of the light penetration of a package compared to the measurement of a reference system, such as the sensor in a reference package or of the sensor outside of the package. The light penetration value can in turn be used to modify the package components or features to obtain improved light penetration performances.

[0060] Where a light penetration defect is identified to be due to a window in a package system, light protection can be provided within or on said window to mitigate the light protection defect. Light protection can be provided with a light protective layer that can be adhered to the window. The layer can be removed when the light protection is not needed or when the window is required for viewing the package contents. The adhesive light protection layer can be reapplied when the viewing is not needed, rendering the package light protective again. Alternatively, the light protection can be provided by an additive in the window composition, such as by incorporation of a pigment that absorb a certain portion of the light spectrum that damages the product within the package. The light protection layer can be made of a different material than the package composition and may cover just the window feature or substantially other parts of the package.

[0061] The device of the invention provides the means to measure the light penetration profile of an article. The article may be a packaging article or component thereof. The device comprises at least one light sensor and at least one light source. The device is further able to be used to collect measurements where the sensor position during the data collection is mapped relative to the article dimensions or features. The light sensor and light source may be coupled using the device, the coupling may be mechanical or magnetic.

[0062] Preferred embodiments of the invention may be further understood with reference to the various Figures.

[0063] Specific elements identified in the Figures are summarized as follows:

1. Black-painted room

2. Bottle with closure in place

3. Screwcap closure

4. Support table

5. Electrically rotated turntable

6. Package fill line

7. Bottle/turntable rotation axis

8. Light sensor

9. Adjustable lamp stand

10. LED Lamp

11. Light blocking tape covered fill line indicator

20. Bottle body

21. Bottle closure

22. Bottle finish

23. Bottle finish foot

24. Bottle transfer bead

25. Tamper evident ring

26. Bottle Threads

27. Polymeric Closure ring

28. Steel disk insert

29. Commercially produced, highly light-blocking bottle

30. Light-blocking, aluminum foil cup

31. Light-blocking, aluminum foil ring

32. Capped and aluminum foil covered bottle 40. L-shaped, aluminum support shelf

41. Nylon cable-tie 50. Weather-Ometer 51.Xeon arc lamp

52. Bottom support ring of rotatable sample carousel

53. Bottle/support shelf assembly

54. Section of Bottle Face 1 from Gray bottle

55. Section of Bottle Face 2 from Gray bottle

56. Accelerated in situ (AIS) apparatus sample holder

57.AIS apparatus sample holder with section of Bottle Face 1 from Gray bottle inserted

60. Package system

61. Package bottle

62. Inhomogeneous package label

63. Light penetration evaluation area

64. Indexed package position map shown on package system

65. Indexed package position map shown with position labels

70. Light sensor assembly

71. Light source assembly

72. Coupled light source and sensor assemblies

73. Magnetic coupling

80. Mechanically coupled light sensor and light source assembly

81. Light sensor and light source assembly positioning apparatus

82. Package system

83. Package positioning table with rotation

90. Package closure with opening to insert device component

91. Positioning rod for device component

92. Light source or Light sensor device

[0064] Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a preferred embodiment that provides a package system to be evaluated in a black painted room (1). The package system (2) comprises the bottle body and a screwcap closure (3) placed on an electrically rotated turntable (5) on a support table (4). Key features of the package system are identified including the package fill line (6), indicator window, and the bottle/turntable rotation axis (7). A cutaway of the bottle is shown to illustrate the interior features of the bottle for clarity although this cutaway is merely illustrative and does not represent the actual form of the package system as described in the Examples.

[0065] Figure 2 shows the elements of Figure 1 with the additional placement of the light sensor (8) into the body of the package system as inserted through the threaded opening where the screw cap closure is affixed (3). Figure 2 illustrates that the placement of the sensor light detecting element is positioned at the base of the package on the axis of rotation of the package system. Further, Figure 2 shows the known inhomogeneous package feature of the package fill line (6). A cutaway of the bottle is shown to illustrate the interior features of the bottle and sensor placement relative to said features for clarity although this cutaway is merely illustrative and does not represent the actual form of the package system as described in the Examples.

[0066] Figure 3 shows the elements of Figure 2 with the additional illustration of the light source placement provided by the adjustable lamp stand (9) and the LED lamp (10). The elements shown in Figure 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention with a package system (2) equipped with a placed light sensor (8) in a light condition comprising the means to provide a light source (10) and position the light source (9) to a package in a defined position created by the support table (4) and the electrically rotated turntable (5) within a defined environment of a black painted room (1 ). A cutaway of the bottle is shown to illustrate the interior features of the bottle and sensor placement relative to said features for clarity although this cutaway is merely illustrative and does not represent the actual form of the package system as described in the Examples. Figure 3 represents a preferred light condition embodiment of the invention.

[0067] Figure 4 shows the elements of Figure 3 with the additional illustration of an aspect of the invention where the package bottle with closure in place (2) is rotated on the electrically rotated turntable (5) about the bottle axis of rotation (7) upon which the light sensor (8) is oriented. The rotation of the package in this illustration is evident as the package feature of the fill line indicator (6) is rotated away from the LED lamp (10) light source. A cutaway of the bottle is shown to illustrate the interior features of the bottle and sensor placement relative to said features for clarity although this cutaway is merely illustrative and does not represent the actual form of the package system as described in the Examples. Figure 4 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention for collecting a light penetration profile.

[0068] Figure 5 shows the elements of Figure 3 except with the additional modification of the package system with light blocking tape (11) placed on the exterior of the package to cover the fill line indicator (6) window feature of the package.

[0069] Figure 6 shows the data collected as described in Example 2. The data represents the periodicity of the light penetration properties of the white bottle package system as it rotates within the light condition.

[0070] Figure 7 shows the data collected as described in Example 2. The data represents the periodicity of the light penetration properties of the gray bottle as it rotates within the light condition.

[0071] Figure 8 shows the data collected as described in Example 2. The data represents the periodicity of the light penetration properties of the natural bottle as it rotates within the light condition.

[0072] Figure 9 shows the data collected as described in Example 2 indexed to the package rotational position and averaged for multiple rotational cycles shown on a common scale to illustrate the light penetration differences between the package systems under evaluation and also the light penetrations differences within a package system type about the package system rotational axis.

[0073] Figure 10 depicts a commercially produced package system (29) comprising a bottle body (20) and bottle closure (21 ). The bottle body (20) comprises elements including the bottle finish (22), bottle finish foot (23), bottle transfer bead (24), tamper evident ring (25), and bottle threads (26). The bottle closure (21 ) comprises elements including the polymeric closure ring (27) and the steel disk insert (28).

[0074] Figure 11 depicts the package system conditions assessed through the steps of Example 3 as conducted from left to right. In the leftmost bottle, the light sensor (8) is inserted into the bottle body (20). In the second bottle from the left, a bottle cutaway illustrates the sensor placement on the base of the bottle body interior and the light-blocking, aluminum foil cup (30) that is placed onto the bottom third of the bottle body. The middle figure shows the first of two light-blocking, aluminum foil rings (31 ) placed onto the bottle body to cover the middle third of the bottle body surface with said bottle still containing the light sensor (8). The second from the left bottle shows how a second light-blocking, aluminum foil ring (31 ) is placed onto the bottle body to cover the top third of the bottle body surface with said bottle still containing the light sensor (8). The rightmost capped and covered bottle condition (32) depicts the bottle body with the light-blocking, aluminum foil cup (30) and two light-blocking, aluminum foil rings (31 ) and the bottle closure (21 ) said bottle still containing the light sensor (8). [0075] Figure 12 depicts placement of the capped and covered bottle condition (32) onto an L-shaped, aluminum support shelf (40) and secured with a nylon cable-tie (41 ) to create the bottle / support shelf assembly (53).

[0076] Figure 13 illustrates the placement of the bottle / support shelf assembly (53) onto the bottom support ring of rotatable sample carousel (52) within a Weather-Ometer (50) equipped with a Xenon arc lamp (51 ).

[0077] Figure 14 depicts the package system of Example 5 possessing a package system comprising a bottle with a closure in place (2), a screw cap closure (3), and a package fill line (6) with two package material samples including a portion of gray bottle face with the fill line indicator window (54) and a portion of gray bottle face without the fill line indicator window (55).

[0078] Figure 15 shows on the left the Accelerated In Situ (AIS) apparatus sample holder (56) being loaded with a portion of the gray bottle face (54) and on the right the Accelerated In Situ (AIS) apparatus sample holder (56) holding the package sample comprising a portion of a gray bottle face (54) to form the loaded sample cell (57).

[0079] In the left most frame of Figure 16, a package system (60) is shown comprising a package bottle (61 ) and an inhomogeneous package label (62). Using a dashed line, the package location for light penetration profile measurement is indicated (63). In the middle frame, the package location (63) are divided into an array of indexed locations (64). In the right most frame, the array of indexed locations (64) are assigned location codes (65).

[0080] Figure 17 illustrates a cross sectional view of a device comprising a sensor assembly (70) coupled magnetically (73) with the light source assembly (71 ) to create the coupled light source and sensor assembly (72). The coupled light source and sensor assembly (72) are affixed across a package bottle (61) with an inhomogeneous package label (62).

[0081] Figure 18 shows a device comprising a mechanically coupled light sensor and light source assembly (80) connected to a light sensor and light source assembly positioning apparatus (81) said apparatus capable of translating in both the vertical and horizontal directions enabling placement of light source and sensor assembly (80) across the package bottle (61) (as depicted) or across the inhomogeneous label (62) and package bottle (61) (position not depicted). The package is further located on a package positional table with rotation (83) enabling positioning of the light source and sensor assembly (80) over the surfaces of the package.

[0082] Figure 19 shows a device for determining light penetration profile of a package system. The device comprises a positioning rod for a light source or light sensor device component (91) where said component may be a light source or light sensor device (92). The positioning rod translates within a package system (60) comprising a package bottle (61) and inhomogeneous package label (62). The positioning rod for the device component can be inserted in the package interior with a package closure with opening to insert device component (90) which can translate on an axis within the package to enable collection of a light penetration profile of the package system.

Examples 1-5

Abbreviations:

• mg = milligrams

• m = meters

• cm = centimeters

• mm = millimeters

• nm = nanometers

• L = liters • mL = milliliters

• °C = degrees Celsius

• W = watts

• mW = milliwatts

Example 1:

[0083] Three commercially produced, label-free, essentially flat faced, rigid polyethylene bottles designed for the containment of liquids, each possessing a polymeric, threaded closure fitted with a foil liner, were obtained for evaluation of their light penetration inhibiting capabilities (with the associated closure in place) using a method according to the current invention. Each bottle possessed a rectangular footprint but differed from the other two from dimensional and form factor standpoints. Additional important bottle differences are detailed in Table 1. White and Gray bottles (Bottles 1 and 2, respectively, in Table 1 ) each possessed a translucent fill line indicator running essentially completely up the center of one bottle face.

Table 1.

[0084] The light penetration inhibiting capability of the White bottle was assessed as follows. Said bottle was placed onto a stationary, 25-cm diameter, motorized, rotating turntable (Fotoconic, Model # CP-DTT0003-BLK-110V) that was purchased from Amazon.com. The turntable itself was supported by a small table that was located inside a room whose walls and ceiling had been completely painted with flat black paint. Bottle placement was such that the center of the rectangular bottle bottom was located directly over the center of the turntable platform. A depiction of this setup is shown in Figure 1. Note that the bottle face cutaway depicted in this Figure is for illustration purposes only and is not part of the real bottle. The same holds true for all subsequent Figures.

[0085] A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capable, portable light sensor (HOBO Pendant MX Temp/Light, Part # MX2202; Onset Corporation, Bourne, Massachusetts) was subsequently activated and configured to continuously collect light intensity data with a sampling frequency of one measurement per second. (Note that the spectral response of the sensor closely matches the photopic response of the human eye.) Said configuration was performed using the HOBOmobile app (Onset Corporation) running on a Bluetooth capable, Android powered mobile phone (Google Pixel 3XL). Once configured, the sensor was carefully inserted into the bottle (using a custom-made metal rod with a hook at one end) and placed onto the bottle bottom such that the sensor light detector window was (1) directed towards the closure end of the bottle and (2) was also located directly over the center of the turntable platform, see Figure 2. Note that sensor placement was performed in a manner that did not disturb the positioning of the bottle on said platform.

[0086] After carefully replacing the bottle closure (finger tight), again without disturbing bottle (and, by extension, light sensor) placement on the turntable platform, the bottle face with the fill line indicator was azimuthally oriented (via motorized rotation of the turntable platform and final slight hand adjustments) so as to be immediately next to and parallel to the circular light output window of a freestanding, portable, adjustable, high intensity (3000 lumen) LED work light (UtiliTech™ Pro, Model # MPL1009-LED40K840) that was purchased from Lowes Corporation (Mooresville, NC), see Figure 3. Final minor work light positioning adjustments were then performed that, when completed, ensured that the imaginary horizontal line extending perpendicularly from the center of the work light output window would pass through the neighboring bottle face also in perpendicular fashion at about its center point. The distance from the work light output window to the bottle face at said point was measured to be about 7 cm.

[0087] The work light was then turned on and allowed to equilibrate for a minimum of 15 minutes. The overhead lights in the black painted room where then extinguished and the light sensor allowed to collect light intensity data for sixty seconds. The turntable was then electrically rotated ninety degrees (in clockwise fashion looking down on the bottle) to orient the following bottle face parallel to the light output window of the work light after which another sixty second light intensity data set was collected, see Figure 4. The bottle reorientation and subsequent light intensity data recording process was then repeated for the remaining two bottle faces.

[0088] A 1 .9 cm wide strip of standard black electrical tape was then very carefully and symmetrically placed over the entirety of the bottle fill line indicator taking extreme care not to alter the bottle and sensor positioning. Via turntable rotation, the bottle face possessing the now covered fill line indicator was then azimuthally oriented immediately next to and parallel to the light output window of the work light and another sixty second block of light intensity data obtained, see Figure 5. Once this step was completed, a final sixty second block of light intensity data was obtained after the work light had been extinguished. The room lights were still off during this last ‘dark’ data collection event; ideally no sensor response should be noted at this point.

[0089] After completion of the ‘dark’ data collection event, the light sensor was removed from inside the bottle. Light intensity versus time data were subsequently obtained from the sensor in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington) format (.xlsx) via the HOBOmobile app. A bottle interior average (and associated standard deviation) light intensity value for each light exposure event was then calculated using Excel. Note that the time associated with the beginning of each event had been recorded to make it easy to identify them during subsequent data analysis.

[0090] The above described light penetration evaluation process was then repeated for the Gray and Natural bottles. However, for the latter bottle, one fewer sixty second block of light intensity data was obtained since this bottle did not possess a fill line indictor; as such, light intensity data collection for said bottle began with an appropriately orientated but indiscriminately chosen bottle face. [0091] Table 2 summarizes the average bottle interior light intensity values observed (units of lux) as each bottle face (labeled as Bottle Face 1 , Bottle Face 2, etc.) of a given evaluated bottle was sequentially positioned (via 90-degree turntable rotation increments) immediately next to and parallel to the work light output window. Note that associated coefficient of variation values (standard deviation value divided by the corresponding average value) were all found to be very similar and to never exceed 0.48%; this small variation in observed light intensity is attributed primarily to fluctuations in the output of the work light. In addition, during every ‘dark’ data collection event, as expected, the portable light sensor did not register a light intensity response.

Table 2.

[0092] Examination of the data presented in Table 2 reveals that for the White bottle, the observed interior light intensity values ranged from a high of 5492 lux to a low of 1826 lux (see Row 3 of Table 2); the former value is associated with the bottle face the possesses the fill line indicator. For the Gray bottle, said intensity values ranged from a high of 830 lux to a low of 0 lux (i.e. completely light blocking; see Row 4 of Table 2); the former value is also associated with the bottle face into which is incorporated the fill line indicator. The interior light intensity values observed for the translucent Natural bottle ranged from a high of 8335 lux to a low of 5857 lux (see Row 5 of Table 2), values that demonstrate that this bottle allows the most light penetration overall of the three evaluated bottles. (The Gray bottle allows the least.) Covering the fill line indicator of the White bottle and of the Gray bottle with completely light blocking tape dramatically decreased the amount of light that penetrated the associated bottle faces (compare data in Column 6 to those in Column 2 in Table 2).

[0093] The variations in bottle interior light intensity that were observed for all three bottles as their associated faces were directly exposed to the light source in sequential fashion can be attributed to a multitude of potentially interrelated, bottle associated elements. In the case of the White and Gray bottles, both of which are designed to be visually opaque, the most obvious of these is the presence of a translucent fill line indicator on one bottle face. Less obvious elements, which become significantly more relevant the less overall light blocking a bottle is, include varying form factor and cross-sectional area presentations towards the light source as a bottle is rotated (on the turntable) as well as potentially non-uniform bottle wall construction (e.g., differences in wall thickness or in the distribution of the opacifying agent, if any). As exemplified here, the methodology of the current invention provides a unique means to probe the combined influence of said elements on the light penetration inhibiting capability of a sealed package (that may or may not possess an associated label). More specifically, we have demonstrated an ability to rapidly obtain light penetration values from within such a package as a function of package orientation (relative to a light source), information that can be, if desired, converted into a light penetration metric, such as an average interior light intensity value or a range of interior light intensity values, that can be utilized to guide package design or selection or to assess package-to-package uniformity.

Example 2:

[0094] A second evaluation of the light penetration inhibiting capability of each of the three bottles described in Example 1 was performed using the same experimental setup and procedure as described in Example 1 but with the following exceptions: (1 ) the translucent fill line indicators for the White and Gray bottles were not covered and (2) after placement of each bottle onto the turntable platform, subsequent placement of the activated light sensor within the bottle itself, and replacement of the bottle closure, the resulting package system was allowed to continuously rotate undisturbed through at least twelve complete turntable revolutions (one revolution taking about 74 seconds), see Figure 4.

[0095] After completion of each continuous light intensity collection process, the light sensor was removed from inside the bottle and light intensity versus time data were subsequently obtained from the sensor again in Microsoft Excel format (.xlsx) via the HOBOmobile app. A graph of bottle interior light intensity versus time for each bottle was then constructed from said data using Excel. Figures 6, 7, and 8 show a representative portion of said graph for the White, Gray, and Natural bottles, respectively.

[0096] Further manipulation of the obtained data yielded the overlay graph shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the interior light intensity for each bottle, averaged over at least twelve bottle rotations, is plotted against bottle rotational angle relative to the light source thereby yielding corresponding - and readily comparable - average circumferential light penetration profiles. The 180-degree point of each bottle’s profile was arbitrarily set to be the bottle orientation when Bottle Face 1 (see Table 2 of Example 1 ) was immediately next to and parallel to the circular light output window of said source. Recall that for the White and Gray bottles, this bottle face is associated with the presence of a translucent fill line indicator. For the Natural bottle, which does not possess such an indicator, said face is located opposite the bottle handle. The 270-degree, 360/0-degree, and 90-degree points of each bottle’s light penetration profile are thus associated with the positioning of Bottle Faces 2, 3, and 4, respectively, also immediately next to and parallel to the circular light output window of the light source.

[0097] Examination of the three light penetration profiles displayed in Figure 9 immediately reveals that the Gray bottle has the greatest light penetration inhibition capability; only the bottle face that possesses the translucent fill line indicator allows light into the bottle interior and even then, only a relatively small amount (about 840 lux maximum). In contrast, the Natural bottle can be seen to have the worst light penetration inhibition capability; significant amounts of light are observed within the interior of this bottle (as much as about 9,900 lux) no matter how it is oriented relative to the light source. Of particular interest is the highly variable and complex nature of the light penetration profile for the latter bottle. This behavior can be attributed for the most part to varying bottle form factor and cross-sectional area presentations towards the light source as the bottle is rotated on the turntable. The light penetration profile of the White bottle, like that of the Gray bottle, also clearly shows the light admitting impact (about 5,500 lux maximum) of its fill line indicator. Flowever, once said indicator is rotated away from the light source, the amount of light penetration into the bottle interior decreases significantly to levels that vary moderately (between about 1800 lux and 2600 lux) as the bottle continues its rotation. Said variation is, as described for the Natural bottle, attributed to structural features inherent to the bottle design. [0098] The experimental process described in this example demonstrates how the static light penetration data capture protocol of Example 1 can be extended into the continuous realm to generate light penetration profiles for sealed packages (see Figure 9) that can be readily compared visually, thereby providing one with an immediate sense of the light penetration inhibition property differences of said packages. Conversion of said profiles to a light penetration metric, for example, by calculating the area under each generated light penetration profile for the full 360-degree package rotation, then allows one to quantify said differences. In addition, each generated profile can provide useful information regarding the light penetration inhibition properties of obvious package structural features, such as a fill line indicator or a package corner, as well as of more subtle features, such as opacifying agent distribution inhomogeneities, variable bottle wall thickness, or polymer seam lines.

Example 3:

[0099] The light exposure events associated with this Example were performed inside a commercially produced, xenon arc lamp containing weatherometer (Ci5000 Xenon Weather-Ometer ^® ; Atlas Material Testing Solutions, Mount Prospect, Illinois). During each event, the following weatherometer settings were utilized: chamber black panel temperature = 63 °C, chamber air temperature = 50 °C, chamber relative humidity = uncontrolled (no water spray utilized, about 5% relative humidity was observed during each light exposure event), xenon arc lamp irradiance at 340 nm = 0.35 W/m ² Using a handheld optical power meter and associated sensor (1919-R Optical Power Meter and 919P-020-12 Thermopile Sensor; Newport Corporation, Irvine, California), the latter setting was found to result in a broad spectrum (190-11000 nm) light irradiance of about 1300 W/m ² at a sample position located on the bottom sample support ring of the rotatable weatherometer sample carousel.

[0100] A single, commercially produced, highly light blocking, cylindrical bottle (symmetric about the bottle long axis) that contained a nutritional shake drink was obtained at random from a local grocery store. Said bottle, produced using pigmented polypropylene resin, possessed a bottom diameter of 57 mm (37 mm at the bottle closure end), a length of 134 mm, and a total volume of 258 ml_. The bottle closure consisted of an injection molded, opaque, blue colored, continuously threaded, polymer ring with an integrated, over molded, steel disk insert (the latter of which formed the top plate of said closure). After completely removing the shrink wrap bottle label, the bottle closure was removed and the bottle contents emptied out. (The bottle closure tamper-evident ring was left in place.) The bottle interior and bottle closure were then thoroughly rinsed with distilled water and allowed to air dry. Figure 10 is a schematic drawing of the aforementioned bottle.

[0101] The portable light sensor utilized in Example 1 was subsequently activated and configured as described in Example 1 to continuously collect light intensity data with a sampling frequency of one measurement per fifteen seconds. Once configured, the sensor was inserted into the bottle and positioned on the bottle bottom such that the sensor light detector window was directed towards the closure end of the bottle. Note that the dimensions of the sensor housing and of the bottle interior were comparable and as such movement of the sensor within the bottle interior after its placement on the bottle bottom was significantly constrained. [0102] The bottom third of the bottle was then carefully inserted into a closely fitting wrap of light blocking aluminum foil in the shape of a cup. The middle third of the bottle was then covered with a close-fitting ring of said foil as was the top third of the bottle. The top of the latter ring of foil ended immediately below the bottle transfer bead located at the foot of the bottle finish. Overlap of each aluminum foil section was sufficient (about 5 mm) to prevent light leak between sections.

[0103] Figure 11 shows the evolution of the sensor placement within the bottle followed by the application of the aluminum foil sections.

[0104] After carefully replacing the bottle closure (finger tight), the foil wrapped bottle was carefully affixed to an L-shaped support shelf fashioned from a 30.48 cm long x 10.16 cm wide x 0.06 cm thick aluminum panel (40) (Q-Lab, Westlake, Ohio) using a single, 5 mm wide, ultraviolet light resistant, nylon cable tie (41 ), see Figure 12. (The horizontal shelf upon which the bottle rested had dimensions of 10.16 cm x 7.62 cm; the securing cable tie was positioned about 1.5 cm up from the bottle bottom.) The bottle/support shelf assembly was then positioned inside the pre warmed (50°C) Weather-Ometer on the bottom sample support ring of the rotatable Weather-Ometer sample carousel, see Figure 13. Two large, steel, paper binder clips held the assembly in place in a manner that allowed the foil wrapped bottle to fully face the centrally located Weather-Ometer xenon arc lamp. The distance from the Weather-Ometer lamp center-of-mass to that of the bottle was about 43 cm. A fifteen-minute light exposure event was then initiated.

[0105] After completion of the first light exposure event, the bottle/support shelf assembly was quickly but carefully removed from the Weather-Ometer. The top ring of the aluminum foil bottle wrap was then carefully removed from the bottle body in a manner that did not disturb the positioning of the sensor within said body. Said assembly was then immediately placed back into the Weather- Ometer taking care not to alter the original orientation of the bottle (and by extension the sensor contained within) relative to the Weather-Ometer light source. A second light exposure event of sixteen-minute duration was then initiated. [0106] After completion of the second light exposure event, the bottle/support shelf assembly was again quickly but carefully removed from the Weather-Ometer. The middle ring of the aluminum foil bottle wrap was then carefully removed from the bottle body after which said assembly was placed back into the Weather-Ometer for another sixteen-minute light exposure event. As before, care was taken to not alter sensor positioning within the bottle or bottle positioning relative to the Weather-Ometer light source.

[0107] After completion of the third light exposure event, the bottle/support shelf assembly was once again quickly but carefully removed from the Weather-Ometer. The remaining (bottom) aluminum foil bottle wrap was then carefully removed from the bottle body after which said assembly was placed back into the Weather-Ometer for a final sixteen-minute light exposure event. Once again, care was taken to not alter sensor positioning within the bottle or bottle positioning relative to the Weather-Ometer light source.

[0108] Upon completion of the last light exposure event, the Weather-Ometer was shut down and the bottle/support shelf assembly allowed to remain inside the light exposure instrument for twenty-nine minutes. This last step allowed a determination of sensor performance while it sat in a dark environment; ideally no sensor response should be noted at this point.

[0109] Note that the temperature in the Weather-Ometer interior across the entirety of the four light exposure events was measured to be 50.0 °C ± 1 .3 °C.

[0110] After completion of the ‘dark’ measurement step, the bottle/support assembly was removed from the interior of the Weather-Ometer and the light sensor was then removed from inside the bottle. Light intensity versus time data were subsequently obtained from the sensor in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington) format (.xlsx) via the HOBOmobile app. Manipulation of said data using the Tableau and Minitab software packages (Tableau Software, Mountain View, California; Minitab, LLC, State College, Pennsylvania) yielded the bottle interior light intensity average and standard deviation values presented in Table 3. Note that for each of the four light exposure runs said values do not reflect the following: (1) the first two to three minutes of light exposure during which the xenon arc lamp was achieving equilibrium light output and (2) the several data points that were collected while the line-of-sight from the portable light sensor window to the xenon arc lamp was momentarily blocked by support posts for various pieces of Weather-0 meter associated equipment said posts located inside the rotating sample carousel.

Table 3.

[0111] Examination of the light intensity data provided in in Table 3 reveals that during the first light exposure event (see Row 2), a slight amount of light did manage to leak into the bottle interior despite the aluminum foil wrap. Said leak most likely occurred through the polymer ring (and through the underlying bottle body) of the bottle closure and/or through the bottle transfer bead neither of which were foil covered. Continued examination of said data (see Rows 3 through 5) shows that the amount of light detected in the bottle interior increased, as expected, in approximate proportion to the amount of bottle surface area that was exposed. Note that each of the calculated average bottle interior light intensity values was found using the Minitab software package to be statistically different from all the others (one-way ANOVA, p = 0.000) at the 95% confidence level. The light intensity variations associated with each average value (see Column 4) are primarily attributed to azimuthal deviations in xenon arc lamp output. Finally, data derived from the ‘dark’ run that followed the fourth light exposure event (see Row 6) demonstrate that, also as expected, the portable light sensor does not register a light intensity response when situated in a completely dark environment.

[0112] The process described in this example demonstrates that the light penetration inhibition measuring technique of the current invention can be extended to light sources that are potentially significantly brighter than the light emitting diode (LED) version utilized in Examples 1 and 2, more specifically, to xenon arc lamps that are typically associated with modern weather- ometers. The intense light output that emanates from the latter type of lamp can, for example, be useful for evaluating light penetration inhibition differences among sealed packages that possess inherently high light blocking properties.

Example 4:

[0113] A standard process for assessing the light protection performance of a sealed package involves measuring the light penetration inhibition capability of one or more physically removed package sections using the methodology and apparatus that are described in the following reference: Stancik CM, Conner DA, Jernakoff P, et al. “Accelerated light protection performance measurement technology validated for dairy milk packaging design.” Packag Technol Sci. 2017;30:771-780 (https://doi.orq/10.1002/pts.2326). The measurement technology described in said reference involves placing a package section of interest between an activated, conditioned light source and a cold, aqueous solution of photosensitive riboflavin and measuring over time the rate at which the riboflavin degrades. The pseudo-first order rate constant for light induced riboflavin degradation that is extracted from said measurement is then used as a light penetration inhibition metric since the magnitude of said rate constant is inversely proportional to the light penetration inhibition capability of the sectioned packaging material.

[0114] Two side wall sections, both 6-cm by 6-cm in size, were thus removed from a duplicate of the Gray bottle described in Example 1, see Figure 14, for evaluation of their light penetration inhibiting capability using the methodology and apparatus described in the aforementioned reference. As shown in Figure 14, one of the wall sections was obtained from the lower part of Bottle Face 1 and symmetrically encompassed the bottle fill line indicator; the other was obtained from the lower central part of Bottle Face 2 (90-degrees away from the former bottle face). A similarly sized side wall section was also removed for a comparable evaluation from the lower central part of Bottle Face 4 of a duplicate of the Natural bottle also described in Example 1. Recall that the latter bottle type does not possess a fill line indicator. The light exposure conditions utilized for said evaluations were as follows: light power density = 400 mW/cm ² ; light exposure period = 40 minutes; initial riboflavin concentration = 15 mg/L; aqueous riboflavin solution temperature in sample cell = 4 °C; area of each bottle wall section exposed to the light source = 16-cm ² (4-cm by 4-cm). Figure 15 depicts the rigid metal sample holder that was used to symmetrically position each evaluated bottle wall section between the activated, conditioned light source and the aqueous riboflavin test solution of the test apparatus. Figure 15 also shows how the Bottle Face 1 wall section from the Gray bottle (which incorporates the fill line indicator) was oriented in said holder.

[0115] Table 4 shows the pseudo-first order rate constant data for light induced riboflavin decomposition (k’, units of min ¹ ) that were obtained from this evaluation.

Table 4.

[0116] Examination of the data contained within Table 4 shows that, for the Gray bottle, the k’ value associated with the bottle wall section that incorporates the translucent fill line indicator (0.0031 min ¹ ) is at least 31 times greater than that of the bottle wall section that does not have said indicator (< 0.0001 min ^-1 ). The light penetration inhibition capability of the former section can thus be seen to be significantly inferior to that of the latter. Note, however, that despite the presence of the translucent fill line indicator, the k’ value associated with the former section (0.0031 min ^-1 ) is only about one-third the magnitude of that derived from the Natural bottle wall section (0.0100 min ¹ ). As such, the light penetration inhibition capability of the Natural bottle derived wall section can be seen to be the lowest of the three bottle wall sections evaluated.

[0117] As shown in this example, the measurement technology described in the above-mentioned reference can be readily utilized to generate quantitative light penetration inhibition data for appropriately sized sections that are derived from a package of interest. Said data can then be utilized to provide a sense of the light penetration inhibition capability of said package. However, since said technology by design involves a deconstruction of said package, the obtained data will not reflect the aggregate, interrelated influences on light penetration efficiency of a multitude of package construction elements such as, for example, irregular package shape, varying package colors, or the presence of a package label. This situation thus results in an incomplete, at best, or in a misleading, at worst, picture of the light penetration inhibition capability of the package in its entirety. The method of the current invention solves this problem and as such strongly compliments existing light penetration inhibition measuring technologies.

Example 5

[0118] Figure 16 is a schematic drawing of a package system (60) comprising a rigid polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle (61 ) designed for the containment of liquids with a polymeric, threaded high density polyethylene (HDPE) closure which can be obtained from retail for evaluation of its light penetration inhibiting capabilities. The package system includes a shrink wrap label (62) that is affixed around the center of the bottle covering a band of the package and approximately a third of the surface area of the package. The shrink wrap label can be inhomogeneous in its appearance. Using the device and method of the current invention this package system can be assessed for its light penetration properties. [0119] A light penetration profile can be mapped for a portion of the package system extending down the vertical package wall including portions of the package without a label and portions with a label as indicated in 63. The portion of the package to be profiled is assigned indexed position locations (64) and each position received a code (65), as shown in Figure 16.

[0120] The light sensor of the type described in Example 1 can be used and can be further equipped with a metal portion that would allow it to be magnetically coupled with the light source (73). The sensor can be configured and activated for data collection and the sensor assembly placed through the threaded opening of the package by removing and replacing the threaded closure.

[0121] A light source assembly comprising an LED light array can be mounted into a sleeve with a magnetic coupling hardware surrounding the illuminating face of the light source. With the illuminating face of the light source assembly aimed towards the package surface, the light source assembly can be brought into contact with the face of the bottle into the first indexed position of the position map denoted A. Using the sensor positioning rod described in Example 1 , the sensor assembly can be coupled magnetically with the light source assembly. The cross-sectional configuration of the device is shown in Figure 14.

[0122] The device can be positioned in each position on the map to collect data. Data can be collected at a rate of one light intensity reading every 2 seconds for a total of 60 seconds. After data is collected for all the desired positions, the sensor can be removed and data collected from the sensor as described in Example 1 .