WO2010137015A2 - Bioactive container - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is disclosed for providing a container (20) with a bioactive material, said method comprising one or more steps of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise f acilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material within a container and/or a preform thereof such that at least one layer (40) of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the container's lumen. Containers are also disclosed the inner surface of which is at least partially coated with a bioactive material. In preferred embodiments, the bioactive material comprises a highly-charged biocidic polymer that preserves the pH of the contents of the container.

Description

BIOACTIVE CONTAINER

REFERENCE TO RELATED PUBLICATION

[01] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 61/180891, dated 25 May 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] The present invention pertains to a bioactive container and to method of producing said container.

[03] A small number patents have addressed the issue of modulation of the plastic material, such as laminating, coating (US 3561629 laminated or coated blow molded containers), or multi- layering it (US 4040233 Multi-layer blow molded container and process for preparation thereof, US 4646925 Multi-layer preform for draw-blow forming a bottle), for a variety of purposes: mixing recycled PET with new material, changing wall characteristics, reducing carbonation level of carbonation beverages, etc. US 7258804 pertains to modulating the plastic material of a beverage bottle for antibacterial purposes. All of those patents relate to the blown portion of the bottle or the blown and opening portions together.

[04] US patent application 20050271780 teaches a bactericidal polymer matrix being bound to an ion exchange material such as a quaternary ammonium salt for use in food preservation. This polymer matrix kills bacteria by virtue of incorporating therein of a bactericidal agent (e.g. the quaternary ammonium salt). The positive charge of the agent merely aids in electrostatic attraction between itself and the negatively charged cell walls. In addition, the above described application does not teach use of solid buffers having a buffering capacity throughout their entire body.

[05] US patent application 20050249695 teaches immobilization of antimicrobial molecules such as quarternary ammonium or phosphonium salts (cationic, positively charged entities) covalently bound onto a solid surface to render the surface bactericidal. The polymers described herein are attached to a solid surface by virtue of amino groups attached thereto and as such the polymer is only capable of forming a monolayer on the solid surface. [06] US patent application 20050003163 teaches substrates having antimicrobial and/or antistatic properties. Such properties are imparted by applying a coating or film formed from a cationically-charged polymer composition.

[07] The activity of the polymers as described in US patent applications 20050271780, 20050249695 and 20050003163 relies on the direct contact of the bactericidal materials with the cellular membrane. The level of toxicity is strongly dependent on the surface concentration of the bactericidal entities. This requirement presents a strong limitation since the exposed cationic materials can be saturated very fast in ion exchange reactions.

[08] US patent application 20050226967 and US Patent 7258916 discloses packaging material able to remove or sequester metal ions such as Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe, which are essential for biological growth and thus inhibit growth of harmful micro-organisms.

[09] US patent application 20060003019 discloses a material surface with separated areas of anode and cathode material, with antibacterial activity based on an iontophoretic effect and release of dissolved ions.

[10] US patent 20040156918 discloses Zeolite-containing dispersions used to place an antimicrobial coating onto packaging materials.

[11] Patent JP2004121187 disclosed mixing a plastic material with powder of tourmaline. The freshness of the food is maintained by the generation of minus ion from the tourmaline.

[12] US Patent 6,172,040 discloses a method for treating products, with immobilized lactoferrin to reduce microbial contamination. A method of inhibiting the growth and/or adhesion of a microbial species on material for food packaging is also disclosed, relating mainly to meat packaging, not beverages.

[13] Hence, commercially available containers are merely a passive vessel for accommodating contained items therein. An active container with bioactive properties is still a long felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[14] It is therefore an object of the present invention to disclose a method for providing a container with a bioactive material, said method comprising one or more steps of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material within a container and/or a preform thereof such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the container's lumen.

[15] It is a further object of the invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) introducing a dispensing means, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (1) adjacent to the mouth of said container and (2) within the lumen of said container; (b) dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material within at least one portion of said lumen of said container, said dispensing performed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing; and (c) curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the container's lumen.

[16] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising an initial step of blow injecting a preform to a container to be bioactivated.

[17] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) obtaining a preform of a container to be treated; (b) introducing a dispensing means, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (1) adjacent to the mouth of said preform and (2) within the lumen of said preform; (c) dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material within at least one portion of said lumen of said preform, said dispensing performed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing; (d) curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the preform's lumen; and (e) blow injecting said pre-treated preform to obtain a bioactive container.

[18] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one homogenous layer of bioactive material.

[19] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material. [20] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material.

[21] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

[22] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

[23] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

[24] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with a multiple heterogeneous over layered or superimposed layers of bioactive material.

[25] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising at least one step of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material, wherein said bioactive material is provided by a bulb-like dispensing means.

[26] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing a bulb-like section of said dispenser in a proximal portion with respect to the nozzle of said dispenser.

[27] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing a bulb-like section of said dispenser in a distal portion with respect to the nozzle of said dispenser.

[28] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of: (a) obtaining a template for a substantially parallelepiped-shaped container; (b) unrolling at least one surface of said unfolded template while dispensing at least one bioactive material from said dispensing means by a method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing, thereby providing a bioactivated surface; and (c) folding said template in a manner such that said bioactivated surface is provided in the inner portion of the container.

[29] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) unrolling at least one surface of said template while dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material by said dispensing means, said dispensing performed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing; (b) curing said bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the unfolded surface, thereby providing a cured bioactive surface; and (c) folding said template in a manner such that said cured bioactive surface is provided in the inner portion of the container.

[30] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) unrolling at least one surface of said template while dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material by said dispensing means, said dispensing preformed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing, thereby providing a pre-cured bioactive surface; (b) folding said template in a manner such that said pre-cured bioactive surface is provided in the inner portion of the container; and (c) curing said pre-cured bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the folded container.

[31] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said step of curing said pre-cured bioactive material is provided by at least one means selected from the group consisting of heating, cooling, irradiating with UV light, irradiating with visible light, irradiiating with IR light, oxidizing, initiating at least one polymerization reaction, initiating at least one co-polymerization reaction, evaporating, drying, ionizing, salting, deionizing, irradiating with energetic particles, pressing, initiating at least one curing reaction, and a combination thereof.

[32] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of selecting an effective and safe bioactive material.

[33] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said container with means useful for killing at least one target cell. [34] It is a fiαrther object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of disrupting upon contact at least one intracellular process and/or intercellular interaction of at least one target cell.

[35] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of selecting said bioactive material from a group consisting of at least one substantially insoluble highly charged polymer, said highly charged polymer is adapted to provide a buffering capacity and to provide proton conductivity, wherein said highly charged polymer is adapted to disrupt the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within a target cell while substantially preserving the pH of the environment in which said target cell is found.

[36] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said proton conductivity by altering water permeability and/or by wetting.

[37] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said wetting is provided by adding a predetermined quantity of at least one hydrophilic additive.

[38] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of providing said proton conductivity or wetting by utilizing at least one inherently proton conductive material (IPCM) and/or inherently hydrophilic polymer (IHP).

[39] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said at least one IPCM and/or IHP, is selected from the group consisting of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymers; sulfonated materials selected from a group consisting of silica, polythion-ether sulfone (SPTES), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (S-SEBS), polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), poly (arylene-ether-sulfone) (PSU), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)-grafted styrene, polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polyphosphazene, proton-exchange membrane made by casting a polystyrene sulfonate solution with suspended micron-sized particles of cross- linked polystyrene sulfonate ion exchange resin, and derivatives thereof.

[40] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) providing the container with two or more, either two-dimensional (2D) or three- dimensional (3D) highly charged polymers, each of which of comprises materials containing highly dissociating ionic groups; and (b) spatially organizing said highly dissociating ionic groups in a manner which minimizes the change of the pH of the environment in which a target cell is found. [41] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of spatially organizing each of said highly dissociating ionic groups in a predetermined pattern, such that the change of the pH of a target cell's environment is minimized.

[42] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said step of organizing is provided by a manner selected from the group consisting of (i) interlacing said highly dissociating ionic groups; (ii) overlapping said highly dissociating ionic groups; (iii) conjugating said highly dissociating ionic groups; (iv) homogeneously mixing said highly dissociating ionic groups; (v) heterogeneously mixing said highly dissociating ionic groups; and (vi) tiling said highly dissociating ionic groups.

[43] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of disrupting pH homeostasis and/or electrical potential within at least a portion of a target cell by a highly charged polymer, while both (i) substantially preserving the pH of said target cell's environment and (ii) minimally affecting the entirety of said target cell's environment.

[44] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising a step of minimizing the leaching of either ionized or electrically neutral atoms, molecules or particles from said highly-charged polymer to said environment, thereby minimally affecting the entirety of said target cell's environment.

[45] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) differentiating between at least one target cell and at least one non-target cell; and (b) disrupting pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within said at least one target cell to a greater extent than within at said least one non-target cell.

[46] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said step of differentiating between at least one target cell and at least one non-target cell further comprises at least one step chosen from the group consisting of: (i) providing differential ion capacity; (ii) providing differential pH value; (iii) optimizing the polymer to target cell size ratio; (iv) designing a differential spatial configuration of the boundary of said highly- charged polymer above its bulk; (v) providing a critical number of particles of said highly- charged polymer (or applicable surface) with a defined capacity per given volume; (vi) providing a critical surface of said highly-charged polymer with a defined capacity per given volume; and (vii) providing size exclusion means.

[47] It is a further object of this invention to disclose a method for the production of a bioactive container, comprising steps of (a) providing a bioactive container comprising means to inoculate, enhance, stabilize, accelerate, differentiate or otherwise increase the growth, accumulation and/or survival of microorganisms of at least one predetermined species within at least one portion of the container; (b) locating a highly-charged polymer on top or underneath the inner surface of said container. It is within the essence of the invention wherein the highly-charged polymer is adapted to disrupt the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within at least a portion of a target cell upon contact between said target cell and said highly-charged polymer and substantially to preserve the pH and functionality of said inner surface of said container.

[48] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of

(a) providing at least one external proton-permeable surface with a given functionality; and

(b) providing at least a portion of said surface with at least one highly-charged polymer, and/or layering at least one highly-charged polymer on top of and/or underneath said surface, thereby killing and/or disrupting at least one intracellular process of and/or disrupting at least one intercellular interaction of said target cell. It is within the essence of the invention wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted substantially to preserve the pH and surface functionality of said target cell's environment.

[49] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) providing the container with at least one external proton-permeable surface with a given functionality; (b) disposing one or more external proton-permeable layers topically and/or underneath at least a portion of said surface, said one or more layers at least partially composed of or layered with at least one highly-charged polymer; and (c) affecting at least one target cell in a manner chosen from the group consisting of (a) killing, (b) disrupting at least one intracellular process, and (c) disrupting at least one intercellular interaction. It is within the essence of the invention wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted substantially to preserve the environment of said at least one target cell.

[50] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, further comprising steps of (a) providing the container with at least one highly-charged polymer; and (b) providing said highly-charged polymer with at least one preventive barrier such that a sustained long acting effect is obtained.

[51] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said step of providing said barrier is obtained by utilizing a polymeric preventive barrier adapted to avoid heavy ion diffusion. [52] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said step of providing said barrier is obtained by utilizing a polymeric preventive barrier adapted to avoid heavy ion diffusion further comprises the step of providing said polymer as an ionomeric barrier.

[53] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said step of providing said polymer as an ionomeric barrier further comprises the step of providing said ionomeric barrier utilizing a commercially available polymer chosen from the group consisting of (a) polysulfonate polymers and (b) polystyrene-rubber copolymers.

[54] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said environment comprises a foodstuff.

[55] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a method, wherein said environment comprises a cosmetic.

[56] It is a further object of this invention to disclose a bioactive container comprising (a) means to inoculate, enhance, stabilize, accelerate, differentiate or otherwise increase the growth, accumulation and/or survival of at least one predetermined species of microorganism within at least one portion of said container; and (b) two or more highly-charged polymers, each of which of said highly-charged polymers comprises at least one material containing highly dissociating ionic groups spatially organized in a manner which substantially minimizes the change of the pH of the environment of said microorganism.

[57] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive container, wherein said highly-charged polymer is disposed substantially in two dimensions.

[58] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive container, wherein said highly-charged polymer is disposed in three dimensions.

[59] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive container, wherein at least a portion of said highly dissociating ionic groups are disposed in a manner chosen from the group consisting of (a) interlacing; (b) overlapping; (c) conjugating; (d) homogeneously mixing; (e) heterogeneously mixing; and (f) tiling.

[60] It is a further object of this invention to disclose a system for providing a container with a bioactive material; said system comprising means for dispensing at least one bioactive material within a container and/or a preform thereof by at least one means chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing, whereby at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the lumen of said container.

[61] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising (a) a container to be bioactivated; (b) at least one curable and flowable bioactive material; (c) at least one dispensing means adapted for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing said at least one bioactive material, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (1) adjacent to the mouth of said container and (2) within the lumen of said container; and, (d) curing means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of said lumen of said container and/or preform thereof.

[62] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising (a) a preform to be bioactivated; (b) at least one curable and flowable bioactive material; (c) at least one dispensing means adapted for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing said at least one bioactive material, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (1) adjacent to the mouth of said container and (2) within the lumen of said preform; (d) blow injecting means adapted for converting said pre-treated preform to a bioactivated container; and (e) curing means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the lumen of said preform.

[63] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one homogenous layer of bioactive material.

[64] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material.

[65] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material. [66] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

[67] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

[68] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

[69] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with a multiple heterogeneous overlayer or a plurality of superimposed layers of bioactive material.

[70] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising a bulb-like dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material.

[71] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising means for providing a bioactive material in a substantially parallelepiped-shaped container, said system further comprising (a) means for unrolling at least one surface of a template; (b) dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material; and (c) means for folding said surface in a manner whereby said bioactivated surface is provided in the inner portion of the container.

[72] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising (a) means for unrolling at least one surface of a template; (b) dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one pre-cured bioactive material; (c) curing means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the unfolded surface; and (d) means for folding said surface in a manner said bioactivated surface is provided in the inner portion of the container. [73] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, further comprising (a) means for unrolling at least one surface of a template; (b) dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one pre-cured bioactive material by said dispensing means; (c) means for folding said surface in a manner said pre-cured bioactive surface is provided in the inner portion of the container; and (d) means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the folded container.

[74] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said curing means for curing said pre-cured bioactive material is chosen from the group consisting of heating, cooling, irradiating with UV light, irradiating with visible light, irradiating with IR light, oxidizing, initiating at least one polymerization reaction, initiating at least one co- polymerization reaction, evaporating, drying, ionizing, salting, deionizing, irradiating with energetic particles, pressing, applying at least one organic or inorganic curing reaction, and a combination thereof.

[75] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said bioactive material is selected from the group consisting of biocides, highly-charged polymers, and in- can preservatives.

[76] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said biocide is selected from a group consisting of pesticide, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algicides, molluscicides, miticides and rodenticides, antimicrobial agents, germicides, antibiotics, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antiprotozoals and antiparasites, and mixtures thereof.

[77] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said biocide is chosen from the group consisting of in-can preservatives, film preservatives, and other preservatives.

[78] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted substantially to disrupt the pH homeostasis within a target cell while substantially preserving the environment of said target cell; and further wherein said environment is characterized by parameters chosen from the group consisting of said environment's functionality, chemistry, concentration of at least one solute, proton concentration, hydroxide ion concentration, biologically related parameters, ecologically related parameters, physical parameters, safety parameters, olfactory parameters, organoleptic parameters, and any combination thereof.

[79] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said physical parameters are chosen from the group consisting of particle size distribution, particle rheology, and consistency.

[80] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said safety parameters are chosen from the group consisting of toxicity, any parameter that affects the LD₅₀, and any parameter that affects the ICT_5O.

[81] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted to (a) disrupt at least one intracellular process and/or intercellular interaction of said target cell, (b) substantially preserve the pH of said target cell's environment and (c) substantially not to leach ions, neutral atoms, molecules, or particles, into said target cell's environment.

[82] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted to provide differentiation between a target cell and a non-target cell.

[83] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein at least one intracellular process and/or intercellular interaction of said target cell is affected to a greater extent than in said non-target cell.

[84] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein the mortality and/or mortality rate of said target cells is greater than that of said non-target cells.

[85] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a system, wherein said differentiation between said target cell and said non-target cell is obtained by at least one means chosen from the group consisting of (a) providing differential ion capacity; (b) providing differential pH values; (c) optimizing highly-charged polymer to target cell size ratio; (d) providing a predetermined spatial configuration of said highly-charged polymer; (e) providing a critical number of highly-charged polymer particles with a defined capacity per given volume; (f) providing a critical applicable surface of said highly-charged polymer with a defined capacity per given volume; and (g) providing size exclusion means.

[86] It is a further object of this invention to disclose a bioactive material adapted for use within the lumen of a container, characterized by flowability in a measure suitable for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing either adjacent to a container's mouth or within a preform's lumen.

[87] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive material, additionally comprising at least one additive.

[88] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive material, wherein said additive is selected from a group consisting of an accelerator, an adhesion promoter, an antifoamer, an anti-insect additive, an antioxidant, an antiskinning agent, a buffer, a catalyst, a coalescing agent, a corrosion inhibitor, a defoamer, a dehydrator, a dispersant, a drier, electrical additive, an emulsifier, a filler, a flame/fire retardant, a flatting agent, a flow control agent, a gloss aid, a leveling agent, a marproofing agent, a preservative, a silicone additive, a slip agent, a surfactant, a light stabilizer, a rheological control agent, a wetting additive, a cryopreservative, a xeroprotectant, biocides, markers, biomarkers, dyes, pigments, radiolabeled materials, glues, adhesives, lubricants, medicaments, sustained release drugs, nutrients, peptides, amino acids, polysaccharides, enzymes, hormones, chelators, multivalent ions, emulsifying or de-emulsifying agents, binders, fillers, thickfiers, factors, co-factors, enzymatic-inhibitors, organoleptic agents, carrying means, such as liposomes, MLVs or other vesicles, magnetic or paramagnetic materials, ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials, biocompatibility-enhancing materials and/or biodegradating materials, such as polylactic acids and polyglutaminc acids, anticorrosive pigments, anti-fouling pigments, UV absorbers, UV enhancers, blood coagulators, inhibitors of blood coagulation, and any combination thereof.

[89] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive material, wherein the bioactive material is a naturally occurring organic acid containing carboxylic and/or sulfonic acid groups, especially compositions selected from a group consisting of abietic acid (C₂₀H_3OO₂) provided in colophony/rosin, pine resin, acidic and basic terpenes.

[90] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive material, wherein the bioactive material comprises inherently proton conductive materials (IPCMs) and/or inherently hydrophilic polymers (IHPs).

[91] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive material, wherein IPCMs and IHPs are selected from a group consisting of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymers; sulfonated materials selected from a group consisting of silica, polythion-ether sulfone (SPTES), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (S-SEBS), polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), poly (arylene-ether-sulfone) (PSU), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)-grafted styrene, polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polyphosphazene; and proton-exchange membrane made by casting a polystyrene sulfonate (highly-charged polymernate) solution with suspended micron-sized particles of cross-linked highly-charged polymernate ion exchange resin.

[92] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive material, wherein said bioactive material is curable.

[93] It is a further object of this invention to disclose a bioactive container, made by the method of claim 1 or any of its dependent claims, comprising means to inoculate, enhance, stabilize, accelerate, differentiate or otherwise increase the growth, accumulation and/or survival of at least one predetermined species microorganism within at least one portion of the container.

[94] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive container, comprising one active member selected from a group consisting of indicators, detectors, and/or active means to absorb, eliminate, reduce toxicity, decontaminate, bind, or hazardous, toxic materials and microorganisms, undesired products.

[95] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive container, wherein said detectors are adapted for indicating either directly or indirectly the condition of the container and the material contained therein.

[96] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive container, wherein said condition is selected from a group consisting tamper-proof and other open/close conditions, oxidation state, pressure, temperature, acidity, specific concentration of a preset material or composition, protein and/or enzymes presence or activity, fat content and combination thereof.

[97] It is a further object of this invention to disclose such a bioactive container, comprising at least one active member which enables the container with active means selected from a group consisting of absorbing, eliminating, reducing toxicity, decontaminating, binding of elements selected from a group consisting of hazardous materials, toxic materials and microorganisms, undesired products and combination thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[98] The following description is provided in order to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide means and methods for providing a bioactive container. Therefore the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the figures and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the accompanying claims, with the proper scope determined only by the broadest interpretation of said claims.

[99] As used herein, the term "about" refers hereinafter to ±20% of the defined measure.

[100] As used herein, the term "cell" refers any naturally-occurring contained volume that contains within it genetic material. Thus, as a non-limiting example, the term "target cell" may refer to, in a particular embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, a single-celled creature (prokaryote or eukaryote), a cell of a multi-celled creature, or a virus.

[101] As used herein, the term "inherently proton conductive material" refers to any material, which, when in contact with a protic solvent, is able to conduct protons to and from the protic solvent.

[102] As used herein, the term "highly-charged polymer" refers to a polymer characterized by ionic substituents and which has a hydrogen ion concentration ([H⁺]) of either [H⁺] < 10^"8 mol L^'1 (pH > 8) or [H⁺] > 10^{"4 5} mol L^"1 (pH < 4.5). In preferred embodiments of the invention, the highly-charged polymer acts as a buffer, that is, it can act to stabilize the pH of a protic environment in which it is in contact, generally by acting as a source of or sink for protons. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the highly-charged polymer is essentially insoluble in the substance or substances with which it is in contact and remains in the solid form.

[103] As used herein, the term "contact," when referring to the interaction between a cell and a highly-charged polymer, is not limited to direct physical contact between the two, but can rather refers to any interaction by which the highly-charged polymer affects the properties of the cell. Non-limiting examples include disruption of the pH homeostasis of the cell or disruption of the electrostatic balance of the cell, e.g. from the longer-range effects of the surface electric field of the polymer or from transfer of protons to or from the cell.

[104] As used herein, the term "substantially parallelepiped-shaped container" refers to any container that is provided to the consumer essentially in the shape of a parallelepiped. Such containers may include provision for repeated opening and closing (e.g. tab-and slot mechanisms, flaps, etc.) and may include portions in other shapes (e.g. a square pyramidal shape) as well. Non-limiting examples of substantially parallelepiped-shaped containers include cartons in which beverages such as milk and juice are sold, cartons in which cookies or crackers are sold, etc. As used herein, the term "template for a substantially parallelepiped-shaped container" or "template" refers to a substantially flat piece of material which, upon folding, produces a substantially parallelepiped-shaped container or a portion thereof.

[105] As used herein, the term "highly dissociating group" refers to any ionic chemical group for which the dissociation equilibrium lies far in the direction of dissociation. The group may be cationic or anionic.

[106] As used herein, the term "size exclusion means" refers to any means that causes or enables different lag times for diffusion through a barrier as a function of the size of the object diffusing. As a non-limiting example, such means can be used to permit diffusion of protons through a barrier while preventing or slowing diffusion of larger ions through the same barrier. Thus, "size exclusion means" is one way of differentiating protons from other ions. This property can support the need for the bioactive material used, according to some embodiments of the invention herein disclosed, to maintain the pH of the environment with which it is in contact. Use of size exclusion means can also extent the longevity of the active life of the coating. Such means are well-known to those skilled in the art; for example, it is well known that polymers in general will differentiate between protons and alkali metal ions. A non-limiting example of such a means is a polyimide membrane, which will provide proton selectivity when placed between the bioactive material and the environment with which it is in contact.

[107] It is in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material as hereby disclosed, is a preservative which is selected in a non-limiting manner form in-can preservatives, in-film preservatives, or any combination thereof, as defined in WO05026269, MICROORGANISM COATING COMPONENTS, COATINGS AND COATED SURFACES (hereinafter '269) which is in incorporated herein as a reference.

[108] As stated in '269, an in-can preservative is a composition that reduces or prevents the growth of a microorganism prior to film formation. Addition of an in-can preservative during a water-borne coating production typically occurs with the introduction of water to a coating composition. Typically, an in-can preservative is added to a coating composition for function during coating preparation, storage, or a combination thereof. An in film preservative is a composition that reduces or prevents the growth of a microorganism after film formation. In many embodiments, an in-fϊlm preservative is the same chemical as an in can preservative, but added to a coating composition at a higher (e.g. two-fold) concentration for continuing activity after film formation.

[109] It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the bioactive containers disclosed hereinafter are coordinated systems (e.g., containers, packs, canisters, boxes, packaging, vessels, bottles, infusion bags etc made of any material, e.g., polymers, glass, metal ware, cardboards etc) of preparing goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use, and adapted e.g., for physical protection, barrier protection, containment or agglomeration, information transmission, marketing, security, convenience and portion control.

[110] It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the bioactive containers disclosed hereinafter are adapted for at least reversibly accommodating liquids, gas, solids or mixtures thereof, for any industry: e.g., foods and beverages, medicaments, cosmetics, water, raw materials, pharmaceuticals, laboratory items, medical devices, agriculture products etc.

[I l l] The term 'bioactive material' also refers herein, still in a non-limiting manner, and as inter alia stated in '269, also to metal compound (e.g. an organo-metal compound) biocide, an organic biocide, or a combination thereof, such as barium metaborate (CAS No. 13701 59-2), which is a fungicide and bactericide; copper(II) 8-quinolinolate (CAS No. 10380-28-6), which is a fungicide; phenylmercuric acetate (CAS No. 62-38-4), tributyltin oxide (CAS No. 56-35-9), which is less preferred for use against Gram-negative bacteria; tributyltin benzoate (CAS No. 4342-36-3), which is a fungicide and bactericide; tributyltin salicylate (CAS No. 4342-30-7), which is a fungicide; zinc pyrithione ("zinc 2-pyridinethiol-N-oxide"; CAS No. 13463-41-7), which is a fungicide; zinc oxide (CAS No. 1314-13-2), which is a fungistatic/fungicide and algaecide; a combination of zinc-dimethyldithiocarbamate (CAS No. 137-30-4) and zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (CAS No. 155-04-4), which acts as a fungicide; zinc pyrithione (CAS No. 13463-41-7), which is a fungicide; a metal soap; or a combination thereof. Examples of metals comprised in a metal soap biocide include copper, mercury, tin, zinc, or a combination thereof. Examples of an organic acid comprised in a metal soap biocide include a butyl oxide, a laurate, a naphthenate, an octoate, a phenyl acetate, a phenyl oleate, or a combination thereof.

[112] It is in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material is e.g., an bactericide, algaecide or fungicide which is selected in a non-limiting manner from a group inter alia consisting of materials as stated in '269, e.g., 4,4 dimethyl-oxazolidine (CAS No. 51200-87- 4) and 3,4,4-trimethyloxazolidine (CAS No. 75673 43-7); 5-hydroxy-methyl-l-aza-3,7- dioxabicylco (3.3.0.) octane (CAS No. 59720-42-2); 2(hydroxymetllyl)-aminoethanol (CAS No. 34375-28-5); 2-(hydroxymethyl)-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol (CAS No. 52299-20-4); hexahydro-l,3,5-triethyl-s-triazine (CAS No. 108-74-7); l-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-l- azonia-adamantane chloride (CAS No. 51229-78-8); l-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-l-azonia- adamantane chloride (CAS No. 76902-90-4); p-chloro-m-cresol (CAS No. 59-50-7); an alkylamine hydrochloride; 6-acetoxy-2,4-dimethyl-l,3-dioxane (CAS No. 828-00-2); 5- chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS No. 26172-55-4); 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS No. 2682-20-4); l,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (CAS No. 6440-58-0); hydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (CAS No. 27636-82-4); or a combination thereof. Examples of an organic biocide that acts as a fungicide include a parabens; 2-(4- thiazolyl)benzimidazole (CAS No. 148-79-8); N-trichloromethyl-thio-4-cyclohexene-l,2- dicarboximide (CAS No. 133-06-2); 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 26530-20-1); 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-isophthalonitrile (CAS No. 1897-45-6); 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate (CAS No. 55406-53-6); N-(trichloromethyl-thio)phthalimide (CAS No. 133-07-3); tetrachloroisophthalonitrile (CAS No. 1897-45-6); potassiumN-hydroxy-methyl-N-methyl- dithiocarbamate (CAS No. 51026-28-9); sodium 2-pyridinethiol-l -oxide (CAS No. 15922- 78-8); or a combination thereof. Examples of parbens include butyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 94-26-8); ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 120-47-8); methyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 99-76-3); propyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 94-13-3); or a combination thereof. Examples of an organic biocide that acts as an bactericide and fungicide include 2-mercaptobenzo-thiazole (CAS No. 149-30-4); a combination of 5-chloro- 2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazoline (CAS No. 26172-55-4) and 2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone (CAS No. 2682-20-4); a combination of 4-(2-nitrobutyl)-morpholine (CAS No. 2224-44-4) and 4,4'-(2-ethylnitrotrimethylene dimorpholine (CAS No. 1854-23-5); tetra-hydro-3, 5-di- methyl-2H-l,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione (CAS No. 533-74-4); potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate (CAS No. 128-03-0); dilodomethyl-p-tolysulfone (CAS No. 20018- 09-1), glutaraldehyde (CAS No. 111-30-8); methylenebis(thiocyanate) (CAS No. 6317-18-6); l,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (CAS No. 35691-65-7); l,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one ("1,2- benzisothiazolinone"; CAS No. 2634-33-5); 2-(thiocyanomethyl-thio) benzothiazole (CAS No. 21564-17-0); or a combination thereof. An example of an organic biocide that acts as an algaecide, bactericide, fungicide and molluslicide includes 2-(thiocyanomethyl- thio)benzothiozole (CAS No. 21564-17-0) and methylene bis(thiocyanate) (CAS No. 6317- 18-6), 2 methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine (CAS No. 28159-98-0), benzisothiazolinone and derivatives thereof, and any combination thereof. It is also in the scope of eth invention wherein benzisothiazolinone derivative. An example of a benzisothiazolinone derivative is BusanTM 1264 (Buckman Laboratories, Inc.), Proxel_ GXL, Proxel_ TN, Proxel_ XL2, Proxel_ BD20 and Proxel_ BZ (Avecia Inc.), Preventol(D VP OC 3068 (Bayer Corporation), or Mergal Kl ON (Troy Corp.) which comprises 1,2- benzisothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 2634-33-5). In the case of Busan_ 1264, the primary use is a bactericide and/or fungicide at 0.03% to 0.5% in a water-borne coating. Proxel_ TN comprises l,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 2634-33-5) and hexahydro-l,3,5-tris(2- hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine ("triazine"; CAS No. 4719-04-4), Proxel_ GXL, ProxelTM XL2 and ProxelTM BD20 comprises l,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 2634-33-5), Proxel_ BZ comprises l,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 2634-33-5) and zinc pyrithione (CAS No. 13463-41-7), and are typically used in industrial coatings and water-based coatings as a bactericide/fungicide. Mergal ICON comprises l,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 2634- 33-5), and is typically used in water-borne coatings as a bactericide/fungicide.

[113] It is also in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material is a biocide which is a proprietary commercial formulation and/or a compound sold under a tradename, and is selected in a non-limiting manner from a group inter alia consisting of materials as stated in '269, e.g., Nuosept (International Specialty Products), such as Nuosept 95, which comprises a mixture of bicyclic oxazolidines, and is typically added to 0.2% to 0.3% concentration to a coating composition; Nuosept 145, which comprises an amine reaction product, and is typically added to 0.2% to 0.3% concentration to a coating composition; Nuosept 166, which comprises 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine (CAS No. 51200-87-4), and is typically added to 0.2% to 0.3% concentration to a basic pH water-borne coating composition; Nuocide (International Specialty Products) such as Nuocide biocide is Nuocide 960, which comprises 96% tetrachlorisophthalonitrile (CAS No. 1897-45-6), and is typically used at 0.5% to 1.2% in a water-borne or solvent-borne coating as a fungicide; Nuocide 2010, which comprises chlorothalonil (CAS No. 1897-45-6) and IPBC (CAS No. 55406-53-6) at 30%, and is typically used at 0.5% to 2.5% in a coating as a fungicide and algaecide; Nuocide 1051 and Nuocide 1071, each which comprises 96% N-cyclopropyl-N-(l-dimethylethyl)-6- (methylthio)-l, 3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (CAS No. 28159-98-0), and is typically used as an algaecide in antifouling coatings at 1.0% to 6.0% or water-based coatings at 0.05% to 0.2%, respectively; and Nuocide 2002, which comprises chlorothalonil (CAS No. 1897-45-6) and a triazine compound at 30%, and is typically used at 0.5% to 2.5% in a coating and/or a film as a fungicide and algaecide; Vancide D (R. T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc.) such as Vancide TH, which comprises hexahydro-l,3,5-triethyl-s-triazine (CAS No. 108-74-7), and is generally used in a water-born coating; Vancide 89, which comprises N-trichloromethylthio-4- cyclohexene-l,2-dicarboximide (CAS No. 133-06-2) and related compounds such as captan (CAS No. 133-06-2), and is used as a fungicide in a coating composition; or a combination thereof; Dowicil (Dow Chemical Company), such as Dowicil QK-20, which comprises 2, 2- dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (CAS No. 10222-01-2), and is used as a bactericide at 100 ppm to 2000 ppm in a coating; Dowicil 75, which comprises l-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-l- azoniaadamantane chloride (CAS No. 51229-78-8), and is used as a bactericide at 500 ppm to 1500 ppm in a coating; Dowicil 96, which comprises 7-ethyl bicyclooxazolidine (CAS No. 7747-35-5), and is used as a bactericide at 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm in a coating; Bioban CS- 1135, which comprises 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine (CAS No. 51200-87-4), and is used as a bactericide at 100 ppm to 500 ppm in a coating; or a combination thereof; Kathon (Rohm and Haas Company), such as Kathon LX, which typically comprises 5-chloro-2-methyl-4- isothiazolin-3-one (CAS no 26172-55-4) and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS no 2682- 20-4) at 1.5%, and is added from 0.05% to 0.15% in a coating; Fungitrol and Biotrend (International Specialty Products), such as Fungitrol 158, which comprises 15% tributyltin benzoate (CAS No. 4342-36-3) (15%) and 21.2% alkylamine hydrochlorides, and is typically used at 0.35% to 0.75% in a water-borne coating for in-can and film preservation. An additional example is Fungitrol 11, which comprises N-(trichloromethylthio) phthalimide (CAS No. 133-07-3), and is typically used at 0.5% to 1.0% as a fungicide for solvent-borne coating. A further example is Fungitrol 400, which comprises 9 8% 3-iodo-2-propyol N-butyl carbamate ("IPBC") (C as No. 5 5406-5 3-6), and is typically used at 0. 15% to 0.45% as a fungicide for a water-borne or a solvent-borne coating; Omadine (E or Triadine) products (Arch chemicals, Inc.), Densil P. Densil C404, Densil DN, Densil DG20 and Vantocil IB (Avecia Inc.), Polyphase 678, Polyphase) 663, Polyphase CST, Polyphase 641, Troysan 680 (Troy Corp.), Rocima 550, Rocima 607, Rozone 2000 and Skane M-8 (Rohm and Haas Company) and Myacide GDA, Myacide GA 15, Myacide Ga 26, Myacide 45, Myacide AS Technical, Myacide AS 2, Myacide AS 30, Myacide AS 15, Protectol TM PE, Daomet Technical and Myacide HT Technical (BASE Corp.). Zinc omadine ("zinc pyrithione"; CAS No. 13463-41-7) is a fungicide/algaecide typically used as an in-film preservative and/or anti- fouling preservative; sodium omadine ("sodium pyrithione"; CAS No. 3811-73-2) is typically used as a fungicide/algaecide in-film preservative; copper omadine ("copper pyrithione"; CAS No. 14915-37-8) is typically used as a fungicide/algaecide in-film preservative and/or anti-fouling preservative; Triadine 174 ("triazine," "l,3,5-triazine-(2H,4H,6H)-triethanol"; "hexahydro-l,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine";CAS No. 4719-04-4) is a bacteria biostatic/bactericide typically used in water-borne coatings; DensilTM P comprises dithio- 2,2-bis(benzmethylamide) (CAS No. 2527-58-4) and is typically used in industrial coatings, water-based coatings and films thereof as a fungicide/ bactericide; Densil C404 comprises 2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile ("chlorothalonil"; CAS No. 1897-45-6) and is used as a fungicide; Densil DN and Densil_ DG20 comprise N-butyl-l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (CAS No. 4299-07-4), and each may be used as a fungicide; Vantocil 1:B comprises poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (CAS No. 27083-27-8) and is a micobiocide; Polyphase 678 comprises carbendazim (CAS No. 10605-21-7) and 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate (CAS No. 55406-53-6) and is typically used as an antimicrobial biocide for exterior coatings and surface treatments; Polyphase 663 comprises 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate (CAS No. 55406-53-6), carbendazim (CAS No. 10605-21-7) and diuron (CAS No. 330-54-1) and is typically used as a fungicide/algaecide in exterior coatings; Rocima(D 550 comprises 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS No. 2682-20-4), and is typically used as a bactericide/fungicide for water-borne coatings; Rozone 2000 comprises 4,5-dichloro-2-N- octyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone (CAS No. 64359-81-5) and is used as a microbiocide for latex coatings; Skane M-8 comprises 2 -Octyl -4 -isothiazolin -3 -one (CAS No. 26530-20-1), and may be used as an in-film fungicide; Myacide GDA Technical, Myacide GA 15, Myacide_ Ga 26 and Myacide45 each comprise glutaraldehyde (CAS No. 111-30-8) and are typically used as an algaecide/bactericide/fungicide; Myacide AS Technical, Myacide AS 2, Myacide AS 30, Myacide AS 15 each comprise 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-l,3-diol ("bronopol"; Cas No. 52-51-7) and are typically used as an algaecide; ProtectolTM PE comprises phenoxyethanol (CAS No. 122-99-6) and can be used as microbiocide/fungicide; Dazomet Technical comprises 3,5-dimethyl-2H-l,3,5-thiadiazinane-2-thione ("dazomet"; CAS No. 533-74-4) and may be used as a microbiocide/fungicide; Myacide HT Technical comprises l,3,5-tris-(2- hydroxyethyl)-l,3,5-hexahydrotriazine (CAS No. 4719-04-4) and can be used as a microbiocide/fungicide. It is also in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material as defined in any of the present invention comprises a mixture of at least one volatile component and at least one nonvolatile component. The bioactive material may undergoes film formation by loss of part of the volatile component. The volatile component may comprise a volatile liquid component. The volatile liquid component may comprise a solvent, a thinner, a diluent, or a combination thereof. The non-volatile component may comprise a binder, a colorant, a plasticizer, a coating additive, or a combination thereof. The film formation may occur by crosslinking of a binder. The film formation may occur by crosslinking of a plurality of binders. The film formation may occur by irradiating the coating. The coating may produce a self-cleaning film. The coating may produce a temporary film. The temporary film may have a poor resistance to a coating remover. The temporary film may have a poor abrasion resistance, a poor solvent resistance, a poor water resistance, a poor weathering property, a poor adhesion property, a poor microorganism and/or biological resistance property, or a combination thereof. The coating may be a non-film forming coating. The non-film forming coating may comprise a non-film formation binder. The non-flm forming coating may comprise a coating component in a concentration that is insufficient to produce a solid film. The coating component may comprise a binder that contributes to thermoplastic film formation. The coating component may contribute to thermosetting film formation. The coating component may comprise a binder, catalyst, initiator, or combination thereof. The coating component may have a concentration of 0% or more. The coating may comprise a water-borne coating. The water-borne may comprise a latex coating. The water-borne coating may be provided in a density of 1.20 kg/L to 1.50 kg/L. The coating may comprise a solvent-bome coating. The solvent-borne coating may be provided in a density of 0.90 kg/L to 1.2 kg/L. The bioactive material may also comprise a binder, a liquid component, a colorant, an additive, or a combination thereof. The binder is selected in a non-limiting manner from a thermoplastic binder, a thermosetting binder, or a combination thereof. The binder may comprise an oil- based binder; a polyester resin, such as a hydroxy-terminated polyester or a carboxylic acid- terminated polyester; a urethane, an amino resin, or a combination thereof; a modified cellulose, such as a cellulose ester or a nitrocellulose; an amino binder, an acrylic binder, a urethane binder, or a combination thereof; a polyamide; an epoxide; an amino resin; acrylic binder, an alkyd resin, a polyester binder, or a combination thereof, the urethane binder may comprise a polyol, an amine, an epoxide, a silicone, a vinyl, a phenolic, a triacrylate, or a combination thereof. A phenolic resin may comprise an alkyd resin, an amino resin, a blown oil, an epoxy resin, a polyamide, a polyvinyl resin, or a combination thereof. The epoxy resin mat comprise an amino resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide, a ketimine, an aliphatic amine, or a combination thereof, a cycloaliphatic epoxy binder; a polyol; a polyhydroxyether binder; an epoxide, a polyurethane comprises an isocyanate moiety, an amino resin, or a combination thereof. The acrylic resin may comprise an epoxide, a polyurethane comprises an isocyanate moiety, an amino resin, or a combination thereof. The binder may comprise a polyvinyl binder. The binder may comprise a rubber resin, such as chlorinated rubber resin, a synthetic rubber resin, or a combination thereof. The binder may comprise polysulfide binder. The binder may comprise silicone binder. The bioactive material may comprise an effective measure of a plasticizer. The plasticizer is selected in a non-limiting manner form a group consisting inter alia of comprises di(2-ethylhexyl) azelate; di(butyl) sebacate; di(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate; di(isononyl) phthalate; dibutyl phthalate; butyl benzyl phthalate; di(isooctyl) phthalate; di(idodecyl) phthalate; tris(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate; tris(isononyl) trimellitate; di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate; diisononyl) adipate; acetyl tri~butyl citrate; an epoxy modified soybean oil; 2-ethylhexyl epoxytallate; isodecyl diphenyl phosphate; tricresyl phosphate; isodecyl diphenyl phosphate; tri-2-ethylhexyl phosphate; an adipic acid polyester; an azelaic acid polyester; a bisphenoxyethylformal, or a combination thereof. The plasticizer may comprise an adipate, an azelate, a citrate, a chlorinated plasticizer, an epoxide, a phosphate, a sebacate, a phthalate, a polyester, a trimellitate, or a combination thereof. The bioactive material may comprise a colorant. The colorant is selected ion a non-limiting manner form a group consisting inter alia of a pigment, a dye, UV blocker or a combination thereof. The color property pigment may comprise a black pigment, a brown pigment, a white pigment, a pearlescent pigment, a violet pigment, a blue pigment, a green pigment, a yellow pigment, an orange pigment, a red pigment, a metallic pigment, a cell-based particulate material, or a combination thereof; aniline black; anthraquinone black; carbon black; copper carbonate; graphite; iron oxide; micaceous iron oxide; manganese dioxide, azo condensation, metal complex brown; antimony oxide; basic lead carbonate; lithopone; titanium dioxide; white lead; zinc oxide; zinc sulphide; titanium dioxide and ferric oxide covered mica, bismuth oxychloride crystal, dioxazine violet, carbazole Blue; cobalt blue; indanthrone; phthalocyanine blue; Prussian blue; ultramarine; chrome green; hydrated chromium oxide; phthalocyanine green; anthrapyrimidine; arylamide yellow; barium chromate; benzimidazolone yellow; bismuth vanadate; cadmium sulfide yellow; complex inorganic color; diarylide yellow; disazo condensation; flavanthrone; isoindoline; isoindolinone; lead chromate; nickel ado yellow; organic metal complex; yellow iron oxide; zinc chromate; perinone orange; pyrazolone orange; anthraquinone; benzimidazolone; BON arylamide; cadmium red; cadmium selenide; chrome red; dibromanthrone; diketopyrrolo-pyrrole; lead molybdate; perylene; pyranthrone; quinacridone; quinophthalone; red iron oxide; red lead; toluidine red; tonor; naphthol red; aluminum flake; aluminum non-leahing, gold bronze flake, zinc dust, stainless steel flake, nickel flake, nickel powder, or a combination thereof. [115] It is also in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material as defined in any of the present invention refers inter alia to a material which acts in an opposite manner as compared to a biocide, i.e., inoculates, enhances, stabilizes, accelerates, differentiates or otherwise increase the growth, accumulation and/or survival of at least one predetermined species of microorganism ('probiotic' or 'good bacteria' of the digestion system, for example) within the container.

[116] In many applications (non-limiting examples include beverages and foodstuffs), it is important that the bioactive material applied to the inner surface of the container not only regulate the populations of target cells, but that it not disrupt the pH of the contents of the container. Many organoleptic properties of foodstuffs, for example, depend on the pH of the foodstuff, because many of the chemicals that determine organoleptic properties such as flavor and smell are themselves sensitive to changes in pH. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the bioactive materials used are designed to minimize the pH changes of the contents of the container. As used herein, the term "minimization" of pH changes by the bioactive material refers to maintenance of and/or lack of disruption of the environmental pH to within predetermined limits about the environmental pH of the contents at the moment that they are introduced into the container. In preferred embodiments, such minimization is accomplished by using within the bioactive material a combination of anionic and cationic charged polymers in a proportion chosen to preserve (i.e. minimize the changes in) the pH of the contents of the container.

[117] It is also in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material as defined in any of the present invention refers inter alia to an active material or matrix which enables the container with which active properties, in an opposite manner as compared to any commercial containers which nothing than a passive vessel with accommodates a given content, with no positive interaction with the content or a specified component of the content. It is hence in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material as defined in any of the present invention also refers to indicators, labels, detectors, signal emitters, etc suitable for indicating (directly or indirectly) the condition of the container and the material contained therein. The indication is selected, in a non-limiting manner, e.g., from a group consisting tamper-proof and other open/close conditions, oxidation state, pressure, temperature, acidity, specific concentration of a preset material or composition (such as sugar of living microorganism), protein and/or enzymes presence or activity, fat content etc. [118] It is also in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive material as defined in any of the present invention refers inter alia to an active material or matrix which enables the container with active means to absorb, eliminate, reduce toxicity, decontaminate, bind, or hazardous, toxic materials and microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, viruses etc), undesired products, such as fermentation by products, particulate matter, aggregates etc.

[119] Reference is now made to figure Ia-Ic, schematically presenting an out-of-scale illustration of an injection molded preform (10) for making a stretch blow molded container (20), e.g., any commercially available preform, such as poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET) resins and copolymers thereof which may and often do contain minor amounts of additional components. Such a preform typically comprises a proximal mouth (101), a threaded neck finish 102 which terminates at its lower end in a capping flange 103. Below the capping flange 103, there is a generally cylindrical, conical or cylindrical/conical elongated body section 104 which sometimes terminates in a section of gradually decreasing external diameter so as to provide for an increasing wall thickness. Below the body section 104 there is a distal closed end of the elongated body section. The width, length, cross section, use, design and shape of preform 10 may vary. Moreover, the width for example of preform 10 of a given design may vary from section to section, to a measure defined in dashed line 105.

[120] As schematically shown in Fig. Ia, and according to one embodiment of the invention, conduit 30 is inserted throughout the mouth 101 within at least a portion of the inner lumen of preform 10, and at least one pre-cured bioactive material is provided within the lumen. In this example, the pre-cured bioactive material is sprayed 31, irrigate, glued, imbedded, melted, evaporate, immersed, doped, immobilized, entrapped, coated, directed, or otherwise facilitatedly flow. Reference is now made to Fig. Ib, presenting a pre-treated preform 10 defined by a PET shell and a newly cured bioactive layer 40. In this specific embodiment, homogeneous thin layer 40 is provided along the whole length of the lumen and conduit 30 exits the lumen. Reference is now made to Fig. Ic, presenting the blow molded container 20 made of the pre-treated preform 10. In this specific embodiment, container 20 comprises a homogeneous thin layer 40 which is provided along the whole length of the lumen 104.

[121] It is well in the scope of the invention wherein the bioactive layer 40 is provided in a non- homogeneous manner. Reference is now made to Fig. Id, presenting a pre-treated preform 10 according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein two or more bioactive layers, here 40 and 140, are tiled within at least one portion or segment of the lumen. This embodiment is especially useful e.g., in a case wherein proximal bioactive matrix 140 is an active aerobic bacteria biocide, and distal bioactive matrix 40 is an active anaerobic bacteria biocide. Reference is now made to Fig. Ie, presenting a pre-treated preform 10 according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein two or more bioactive layers, here 40 and 140, are at least partially over-layered, or superimposed each other within at least one portion or segment of the lumen. This embodiment is especially useful e.g., in a case wherein a bioactive matrix 40 is a biocide and matrix 140 is an effective coating layer. A combination of tiling and over- layering of two or more layers and matrices is well within the scope of the invention.

[122] Reference is now made to Fig. 2a-2c, and according to another embodiment of the invention, preform 10 is not pre-treated by pre-cured bioactive material. Here, blow molded container 20 (Fig. 2b) is blow injected from the non-pre-treated preform 10 (Fig. 2a). As schematically shown in Fig. 2d, a conduit is inserted throughout the mouth of the container within at least a portion of its inner lumen, and at least one pre-cured bioactive material is provided within the lumen. In this example, the pre-cured bioactive material is sprayed, irrigated, glued, imbedded, melted, evaporated, immersed, doped, immobilized, entrapped, coated, directed, or otherwise facilitatedly flow. In this specific example, the bioactive material is cured and the container thus comprises a single homogeneous thin layer which is provided along the whole length of the lumen. As specified above, a combination of tiling and over-layering of two or more layers and matrices is well within the scope of the invention.

[123] Reference is now made to Fig. 3a-3c, and according to another embodiment of the invention, the pre-cured bioactive material is sprayed 31, irrigated, glued, imbedded, melted, evaporated, immersed, doped, immobilized, entrapped, coated, directed, or otherwise facilitatedly flowed merely within the distal portion of the lumen of preform. Here for example, in and in a non-limiting manner, conduit 30 has a bulb-like section (32) in a location which is distal to the spraying nozzle (33).

[124] Reference is now made to Fig. 4a-4c, and according to another embodiment of the invention, the pre-cured bioactive material is sprayed 31, irrigated, glued, imbedded, melted, evaporated, immersed, doped, immobilized, entrapped, coated, directed, or otherwise facilitatedly flowed merely within the proximal portion of the lumen of preform. Here for example, in and in a non-limiting manner, conduit 30 has a bulb-like section (32) in a location which is distal to the one or more spraying nozzles (33). The pre-treated preform having only a proximal single layer of cured bioactive material is now blow injected and as demonstrated in figure 4c, a container with a proximal single layer of cured bioactive material is obtained. A multi-bulb-like conduit and heterogeneous layers are possible options. [125] Reference is now made to Fig. 5a which schematically (not to scale) illustrates a method for providing a bioactive container (see for example cardboard-made beverage canister of figure 5b) according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The unfolded wall of the canister is initially provided as a role 50. Bioactive material is sprayed 31, irrigated, glued, imbedded, melted, evaporated, immersed, doped, immobilized, entrapped, coated, directed, or otherwise facilitatedly flow on top of one side of the unrolled surface (51), so as a pre-cured material is provided (52). A curing of the material (53) may be provided simultaneously or in two (or more) following steps.

[126] Reference is now made to Fig. 6 which schematically (not to scale) illustrates a method for providing a bioactive container; the particular example illustrated is an old-fashioned glass bottle for Coca-Cola™. Here again, one or more pre-cured bioactive materials are sprayed 31, irrigated, glued, imbedded, melted, evaporated, immersed, doped, immobilized, entrapped, coated, directed, or otherwise facilitatedly flow within the lumen of the glass bottle.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A method for providing a container with a bioactive material, said method comprising one or more steps of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material within a container and/or a preform thereof such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the container's lumen.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of: a. introducing a dispensing means, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (a) adjacent to the mouth of said container and (b) within the lumen of said container; b. dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material within at least one portion of said lumen of said container, said dispensing performed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing; and, c. curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the container's lumen.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising an initial step of blow injecting a preform to a container to be bioactivated.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of: a. obtaining a preform of a container to be treated; b. introducing a dispensing means, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (a) adjacent to the mouth of said preform and (b) within the lumen of said preform; c. dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material within at least one portion of said lumen of said preform, said dispensing performed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing; d. curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the preform's lumen; and, e. blow injecting said pre-treated preform to obtain a bioactive container.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one homogenous layer of bioactive material.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of providing said container and/or preform thereof with a multiple heterogeneous over layered or superimposed layers of bioactive material.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one step of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material, wherein said bioactive material is provided by a bulb-like dispensing means.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of providing a bulb-like section of said dispenser in a proximal portion with respect to the nozzle of said dispenser.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of providing a bulb-like section of said dispenser in a distal portion with respect to the nozzle of said dispenser.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of: a. Obtaining a template for a substantially parallelepiped-shaped container; b. Unrolling at least one surface of said unfolded template while dispensing at least one bioactive material from said dispensing means by a method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing, thereby providing a bioactivated surface; and, c. folding said template in a manner such that said bioactivated surface is provided in the inner portion of the container.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising steps of: a. unrolling at least one surface of said template while dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material by said dispensing means, said dispensing performed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing; b. curing said bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the unfolded surface, thereby providing a cured bioactive surface; and, c. folding said template in a manner such that said cured bioactive surface is provided in the inner portion of the container.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising steps of: a. unrolling at least one surface of said template while dispensing at least one pre-cured bioactive material by said dispensing means, said dispensing preformed by at least one method chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing, thereby providing a pre-cured bioactive surface; b. folding said template in a manner such that said pre-cured bioactive surface is provided in the inner portion of the container; and, c. curing said pre-cured bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the folded container.

18. The method of any one of claims 2, 4, or 17, wherein said step of curing said pre-cured bioactive material is provided by at least one means selected from the group consisting of heating, cooling, irradiating with UV light, irradiating with visible light, irradiiating with IR light, oxidizing, initiating at least one polymerization reaction, initiating at least one co- polymerization reaction, evaporating, drying, ionizing, salting, deionizing, irradiating with energetic particles, pressing, initiating at least one curing reaction, and a combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting an effective and safe bioactive material.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of providing said container with means useful for killing at least one target cell.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of disrupting upon contact at least one intracellular process and/or intercellular interaction of at least one target cell.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting said bioactive material from a group consisting of at least one substantially insoluble highly charged polymer, said highly charged polymer is adapted to provide a buffering capacity and to provide proton conductivity, wherein said highly charged polymer is adapted to disrupt the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within a target cell while substantially preserving the pH of the environment in which said target cell is found.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of providing said proton conductivity by wetting.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said wetting is provided by adding a predetermined quantity of at least one hydrophilic additive.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising a step of providing said proton conductivity or wetting by utilizing at least one inherently proton conductive material (IPCM) and/or inherently hydrophilic polymer (IHP).

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said at least one IPCM and/or IHP, is selected from the group consisting of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymers; sulfonated materials selected from a group consisting of silica, polythion-ether sulfone (SPTES), styrene-ethylene- butylene-styrene (S-SEBS), polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), poly (arylene-ether-sulfone) (PSU), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)-grafted styrene, polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polyphosphazene, proton-exchange membrane made by casting a polystyrene sulfonate solution with suspended micron-sized particles of cross-linked polystyrene sulfonate ion exchange resin, and derivatives thereof.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising steps of: a. providing the container with two or more, either two-dimensional (2D) or three- dimensional (3D) highly charged polymers, each of which of comprises materials containing highly dissociating ionic groups; and, b. spatially organizing said highly dissociating ionic groups in a manner which minimizes the change of the pH of the environment in which a target cell is found.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising a step of spatially organizing each of said highly dissociating ionic groups in a predetermined pattern, such that the change of the pH of a target cell's environment is minimized.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said step of organizing is provided by a manner selected from the group consisting of (i) interlacing said highly dissociating ionic groups; (ii) overlapping said highly dissociating ionic groups; (iii) conjugating said highly dissociating ionic groups; (iv) homogeneously mixing said highly dissociating ionic groups; (v) heterogeneously mixing said highly dissociating ionic groups; and (vi) tiling said highly dissociating ionic groups.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of disrupting pH homeostasis and/or electrical potential within at least a portion of a target cell by a highly charged polymer, while both (i) substantially preserving the pH of said target cell's environment and (ii) minimally affecting the entirety of said target cell's environment.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising a step of minimizing the leaching of either ionized or electrically neutral atoms, molecules or particles from said highly-charged polymer to said environment, thereby minimally affecting the entirety of said target cell's environment.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising steps of: a. differentiating between at least one target cell and at least one non-target cell; and, b. disrupting pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within said at least one target cell to a greater extent than within at said least one non-target cell.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said step of differentiating between at least one target cell and at least one non-target cell further comprises at least one step chosen from the group consisting of: (i) providing differential ion capacity; (ii) providing differential pH value; (iii) optimizing the polymer to target cell size ratio; (iv) designing a differential spatial configuration of the boundary of said highly-charged polymer above its bulk; (v) providing a critical number of particles of said highly-charged polymer (or applicable surface) with a defined capacity per given volume; (vi) providing a critical surface of said highly-charged polymer with a defined capacity per given volume; and (vii) providing size exclusion means.

34. A method for the production of a bioactive container, comprising steps of a. providing a bioactive container comprising means to inoculate, enhance, stabilize, accelerate, differentiate or otherwise increase the growth, accumulation and/or survival of microorganisms of at least one predetermined species within at least one portion of the container; and b. locating a highly-charged polymer on top or underneath the inner surface of said container; and, wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted to disrupt the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within at least a portion of a target cell upon contact between said target cell and said highly-charged polymer and substantially to preserve the pH and functionality of said inner surface of said container.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising steps of: a. providing at least one external proton-permeable surface with a given functionality; b. providing at least a portion of said surface with at least one highly-charged polymer, and/or layering at least one highly-charged polymer on top of and/or underneath said surface, thereby killing and/or disrupting at least one intracellular process of and/or disrupting at least one intercellular interaction of said target cell; wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted substantially to preserve the pH and surface functionality of said target cell's environment.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising steps of: a. providing the container with at least one external proton-permeable surface with a given functionality; b. disposing one or more external proton-permeable layers topically and/or underneath at least a portion of said surface, said one or more layers at least partially composed of or layered with at least one highly-charged polymer; and, c. affecting at least one target cell in a manner chosen from the group consisting of (a) killing, (b) disrupting at least one intracellular process, and (c) disrupting at least one intercellular interaction; wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted substantially to preserve the environment of said at least one target cell.

37. The method of claim 22, comprising steps of: a. providing the container with at least one highly-charged polymer; and, b. providing said highly-charged polymer with at least one preventive barrier such that a sustained long acting effect is obtained.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said step of providing said barrier is obtained by utilizing a polymeric preventive barrier adapted to avoid heavy ion diffusion.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said step of providing said barrier is obtained by utilizing a polymeric preventive barrier adapted to avoid heavy ion diffusion further comprises the step of providing said polymer as an ionomeric barrier.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said step of providing said polymer as an ionomeric barrier further comprises the step of providing said ionomeric barrier utilizing a commercially available polymer chosen from the group consisting of (a) polysulfonate polymers and (b) polystyrene-rubber copolymers.

41. The method of any one of claims 22, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35, 36, or 39, wherein said environment comprises a foodstuff.

42. The method of any one of claims 22, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35, 36, or 39, wherein said environment comprises a cosmetic.

43. A bioactive container comprising: a. means to inoculate, enhance, stabilize, accelerate, differentiate or otherwise increase the growth, accumulation and/or survival of at least one predetermined species of microorganism within at least one portion of said container; and, b. two or more highly-charged polymers, each of which of said highly-charged polymers comprises at least one material containing highly dissociating ionic groups . spatially organized in a manner which substantially minimizes the change of the pH of the environment of said microorganism.

44. The bioactive container of claim 43, wherein said highly-charged polymer is disposed substantially in two dimensions.

45. The bioactive container of claim 43, wherein said highly-charged polymer is disposed in three dimensions.

46. The bioactive container of claim 43, wherein at least a portion of said highly dissociating ionic groups are disposed in a manner chosen from the group consisting of (a) interlacing; (b) overlapping; (c) conjugating; (d) homogeneously mixing; (e) heterogeneously mixing; and (f) tiling.

47. A system for providing a container with a bioactive material; said system comprising means for dispensing at least one bioactive material within a container and/or a preform thereof by at least one means chosen from the group consisting of spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, and otherwise facilitatedly flowing, whereby at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the lumen of said container.

48. The system of claim 47, further comprising: a. a container to be bioactivated; b. at least one curable and flowable bioactive material; c. at least one dispensing means adapted for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing said at least one bioactive material, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (a) adjacent to the mouth of said container and (b) within the lumen of said container; and, d. curing means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of said lumen of said container and/or preform thereof.

49. The system of claim 47, further comprising: a. a preform to be bioactivated; b. at least one curable and flowable bioactive material; c. at least one dispensing means adapted for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing said at least one bioactive material, said dispensing means disposed in a location chosen from the group consisting of (a) adjacent to the mouth of said container and (b) within the lumen of said preform; d. blow injecting means adapted for converting said pre-treated preform to a bioactivated container; and, e. curing means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one cured layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the lumen of said preform.

50. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one homogenous layer of bioactive material.

51. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material.

52. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous homogenous layer of bioactive material.

53. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

54. The system of claim 53, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

55. The system of claim 53, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with at least one non-continuous heterogeneous layer of bioactive material.

56. The system of claim 53, further comprising means for providing said container and/or preform thereof with a multiple heterogeneous overlayer or a plurality of superimposed layers of bioactive material.

57. The system of claim 47, further comprising a bulb-like dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material.

58. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for providing a bioactive material in a substantially parallelepiped-shaped container, said system further comprising: a. means for unrolling at least one surface of a template; b. dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one bioactive material; and, c. means for folding said surface in a manner whereby said bioactivated surface is provided in the inner portion of the container.

59. The system of claim 58, further comprising: a. means for unrolling at least one surface of a template; b. dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one pre-cured bioactive material; c. curing means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the unfolded surface; and, d. means for folding said surface in a manner said bioactivated surface is provided in the inner portion of the container.

60. The system of claim 58, further comprising: a. means for unrolling at least one surface of a template; b. dispensing means for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing at least one pre-cured bioactive material by said dispensing means; c. means for folding said surface in a manner said pre-cured bioactive surface is provided in the inner portion of the container; d. means for curing said bioactive material such that at least one layer of bioactive material is provided within at least one portion of the folded container.

61. The system of claim 48, wherein said curing means for curing said pre-cured bioactive material is chosen from the group consisting of heating, cooling, irradiating with UV light, irradiating with visible light, irradiating with IR light, oxidizing, initiating at least one polymerization reaction, initiating at least one co-polymerization reaction, evaporating, drying, ionizing, salting, deionizing, irradiating with energetic particles, pressing, applying at least one organic or inorganic curing reaction, and a combination thereof.

62. The system of claim 47, wherein said bioactive material is selected from the group consisting of biocides, highly-charged polymers, and in-can preservatives.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein said biocide is selected from a group consisting of pesticide, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algicides, molluscicides, miticides and rodenticides, antimicrobial agents, germicides, antibiotics, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antiprotozoals and antiparasites, and mixtures thereof.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein said biocide is chosen from the group consisting of in-can preservatives, film preservatives, and other preservatives.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted substantially to disrupt the pH homeostasis within a target cell while substantially preserving the environment of said target cell; and further wherein said environment is characterized by parameters chosen from the group consisting of said environment's functionality, chemistry, concentration of at least one solute, proton concentration, hydroxide ion concentration, ecologically related parameters, physical parameters, safety parameters, olfactory parameters, organoleptic parameters, and any combination thereof.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein said physical parameters are chosen from the group consisting of particle size distribution, particle rheology, and consistency.

67. The system co claim 65, wherein said safety parameters are chosen from the group consisting of toxicity, any parameter that affects the LD_5O, and any parameter that affects the ICT₅₀.

68. The system of claim 62, wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted to (a) disrupt at least one intracellular process and/or intercellular interaction of said target cell, (b) substantially preserve the pH of said target cell's environment and (c) substantially not to leach ions, neutral atoms, molecules, or particles, into said target cell's environment.

69. The system of claim 62, wherein said highly-charged polymer is adapted to provide differentiation between a target cell and a non-target cell.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein at least one intracellular process and/or intercellular interaction of said target cell is affected to a greater extent than in said non-target cell.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the mortality and/or mortality rate of said target cells is greater than that of said non-target cells.

72. The system of claim 69, wherein said differentiation between said target cell and said non- target cell is obtained by at least one means chosen from the group consisting of (a) providing differential ion capacity; (b) providing differential pH values; (c) optimizing highly-charged polymer to target cell size ratio; (d) providing a predetermined spatial configuration of said highly-charged polymer; (e) providing a critical number of highly-charged polymer particles with a defined capacity per given volume; (f) providing a critical applicable surface of said highly-charged polymer with a defined capacity per given volume; and (g) providing size exclusion means.

73. A bioactive material adapted for use within the lumen of a container, characterized by flowability in a measure suitable for spraying, irrigating, gluing, imbedding, melting, evaporating, immersing, doping, immobilizing, entrapping, coating, directing, or otherwise facilitatedly flowing either adjacent to a container's mouth or within a preform's lumen.

74. The bioactive material of claim 73, additionally comprising at least one additive.

75. The bioactive material of claim 74, wherein said additive is selected from the group consisting of accelerators, adhesion promoters, antifoamers, anti-insect additives, antioxidants, antiskinning agents, buffers, catalysts, coalescing agents, corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, dehydrators, dispersants, drying agents, electrical additives, emulsifiers, fillers, flame/fire retardants, flatting agents, flow control agents, gloss aids, leveling agents, marproofing agents, preservatives, silicone additives, slip agents, surfactants, light stabilizers, a rheological control agent, wetting additives, cryopreservatives, xeroprotectants, biocides, markers, biomarkers, dyes, pigments, radio-labeled materials, glues, adhesives, lubricants, medicaments, sustained release drugs, nutrients, peptides, amino acids, polysaccharides, enzymes, hormones, chelators, multivalent ions, emulsifying or de-emulsifying agents, binders, fillers, thickeners, factors, co-factors, enzymatic-inhibitors, organoleptic agents, carrying means, such as liposomes, MLVs or other vesicles, magnetic or paramagnetic materials, ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials, biocompatibility-enhancing materials, biodegradation-enhancing materials, anticorrosive pigments, anti-fouling pigments, UV absorbers, UV enhancers, blood coagulators, inhibitors of blood coagulation, and any combination thereof.

76. The bioactive material of claim 73, wherein the bioactive material is a naturally occurring organic acid containing carboxylic and/or sulfonic acid groups, especially compositions selected from a group consisting of abietic acid (C_2OH₃₀O₂) provided in colophony/rosin, pine resin, acidic and basic terpenes.

77. The bioactive material of claim 73, wherein the bioactive material comprises inherently proton conductive materials (IPCMs) and/or inherently hydrophilic polymers (IHPs).

78. The bioactive material of claim 77, wherein IPCMs and IHPs are selected from a group consisting of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymers; sulfonated materials selected from a group consisting of silica, polythion-ether sulfone (SPTES), styrene-ethylene-butylene- styrene (S-SEBS), polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), poly (arylene-ether-sulfone) (PSU), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)-grafted styrene, polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polyphosphazene; and proton-exchange membrane made by casting a polystyrene sulfonate (highly-charged polymernate) solution with suspended micron-sized particles of cross-linked highly-charged polymernate ion exchange resin.

79. The bioactive material of claim 73, wherein said bioactive material is curable.

80. A bioactive container, made by the method of claim 1 or any of its dependent claims, comprising means to inoculate, enhance, stabilize, accelerate, differentiate or otherwise increase the growth, accumulation and/or survival of at least one predetermined species microorganism within at least one portion of the container.

81. The bioactive container of claim 80, comprising one active member selected from a group consisting of indicators, detectors, and/or active means to absorb, eliminate, reduce toxicity, decontaminate, bind, or hazardous, toxic materials and microorganisms, undesired products.

82. The bioactive container of claim 81, wherein said detectors are adapted for indicating either directly or indirectly the condition of the container and the material contained therein.

83. The bioactive container of claim 82, wherein said condition is selected from a group consisting tamper-proof and other open/close conditions, oxidation state, pressure, temperature, acidity, specific concentration of a preset material or composition, protein and/or enzymes presence or activity, fat content and combination thereof.

84. The bioactive container of claim 80, comprising at least one active member which enables the container with active means selected from a group consisting of absorbing, eliminating, reducing toxicity, decontaminating, binding of elements selected from a group consisting of hazardous materials, toxic materials and microorganisms, undesired products and combination thereof.