EP1132308A2 - Plastic container having improved haze resistance and a method of reducing haze in plastic containers - Google Patents
Plastic container having improved haze resistance and a method of reducing haze in plastic containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1132308A2 EP1132308A2 EP01850038A EP01850038A EP1132308A2 EP 1132308 A2 EP1132308 A2 EP 1132308A2 EP 01850038 A EP01850038 A EP 01850038A EP 01850038 A EP01850038 A EP 01850038A EP 1132308 A2 EP1132308 A2 EP 1132308A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- plastic
- coating
- pen
- haziness
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
- B65D23/08—Coverings or external coatings
- B65D23/0807—Coatings
- B65D23/0814—Coatings characterised by the composition of the material
- B65D23/0828—Coatings characterised by the composition of the material consisting mainly of paints or lacquers
Definitions
- the invention is directed to plastic containers, and in particular to plastic bottles for beverages, such as carbonated soft drinks, beer, and the like. Further, the invention is related to a method for applying coatings on the outside surface of beverage bottles to make them more resistant to attacks caused by the environment and the processing thereof.
- Refillable plastic bottles are disclosed in EP-A-0 247 666.
- a refillable plastic bottle must remain aesthetically and functionally viable over a minimum of five and preferably over ten trips or loops to be considered feasible.
- Such a trip comprises, by way of example, (1) an empty caustic wash followed by (2) contaminant inspection and product filling, (3) warehouse storage, (4) distribution to retail locations and (5) purchase, use and empty storage by the consumer followed by eventual return to the bottler.
- the bottle must have extremely good chemical and physical properties. Manufacturers of packaging materials have realized this and have developed materials that approach the demands. However, there is still room for improvements.
- Non-limiting examples include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), acrylonitrile, polyamides, polycarbonates, PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), etc.
- PEN is a member of a class of materials called NDC-based polyesters (NDC - dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate).
- NDC-based polyesters NDC - dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate
- Other examples of materials within this class include, besides PEN, terephthalate/-naphthalate(T/N)copolyesters and blends of these materials (including PEN) with PET. All these materials meet the above demands to a more and less satisfactory extent.
- PET is rather cheap and has acceptable gas barrier properties.
- PEN has much better gas barrier properties than PET and also excellent mechanical properties.
- the increased light barrier depends on the fact that PEN absorbs a greater amount of light at certain wavelengths.
- An increased absorbance of UV light as a part of the sunlight brings about the effect that PEN is more easily degraded, which in the polymer art is called photo-oxidative degradation of polymers.
- UV stabilisers must be added to several of the most usual polymers, such as polypropylene (PP), if said polymers are to be used in an outdoor environment subjecting them to sunlight.
- UV-stabilisers photostabilisers
- photostabilisers are hindered amines, such as TINUVIN 234 and TINUVIN P (Ciba).
- the hazing problem has been solved by using bottles having improved resistance to haziness.This in turn has been achieved by manufacturing bottles starting from polymers having a certain resistance to haziness or polymers to which substances have been added which impart resistance to haziness to the polymers.
- the main object of the invention is to provide a plastic container having improved resistance to haziness, the plastic comprising at least one plastic component, which is PEN.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a method of reducing haze on plastic containers, the plastic comprising at least one plastic component, which is PEN.
- Still another object is to provide a solution of the above haze problem by the use of a coating on a refillable container for beverages.
- the haze problem is solved by providing the container with a protective coating, by which the microscopic voids are "filled", thereby reinstating the even surface and reducing the haziness.
- the container is provided with a protective film-forming coating.
- the containers are provided with such coatings at appropriate times, preferably either between washing and filling or after filling.
- the container comprises a plurality of layers forming a structure which is often referred to as a multi-layer structure.
- the outer layer is formed of PEN, although the invention by no means is restricted thereto.
- PEN bottle denotes a bottle solely made of PEN or comprising at least one layer of PEN.
- the coating is soluble in hot water and in a diluted aqueous lye solution (alkaline) and the coating is applied after the bottle is refilled.
- the coating is applied before the bottle has been refilled.
- the coating provided on the bottles do not stop the UV initiated degradation per se but fills the voids and thereby reduces the haziness to a very high extent. Thanks to the coating, the bottles have a very nice appearance resulting in a better acceptance by the consumers.
- the coating materials are not critical to the invention. Any material can be used as long as the desired reduction of the haze is achieved by filling the voids in the outer surface. Those skilled in the art can select the most feasible material for each application.
- waxes such as vegetable waxes, animal waxes, synthetic waxes, and mixtures thereof. Vegetable waxes are preferred. Waxes have in general a melting point in the range of 50-90°C. Thus, they can be removed from a surface by hot water. Emulsions of waxes, such as Carnauba wax, Japan wax provide very good results.
- the coating emulsion contains conventional additives which facilitate the coating process.
- additives comprise for example surfactants, especially biodegradable surfactants.
- the expression "wax based composition" as used herein does not exclude such additives.
- UV stabilisers may be mentioned. They are generally incorporated in low concentrations.
- lacquer resins can be mentioned, preferably of latex type.
- Emulsions of natural or synthetic resins, e g epoxy resins, phenolic resins, acrylic resins, etc, with ability to form film coatings are suitable.
- the choice of coating material is not critical and is substantially determined by other factors, such as supply, costs, coating technique, etc.
- the coating is applied on the surface of the bottle using conventional processes, such as roll coating, spray coating, immersing or brushing, dried and optionally heat-treated to form a film having a thickness of up to about 0,1 mm.
Abstract
Description
- The invention is directed to plastic containers, and in particular to plastic bottles for beverages, such as carbonated soft drinks, beer, and the like. Further, the invention is related to a method for applying coatings on the outside surface of beverage bottles to make them more resistant to attacks caused by the environment and the processing thereof.
- In recent years, the market of plastic bottles for beverages has increased dramatically. In many countries, in particular the European countries, the industry of refillable plastic bottles has been very successful.
- Refillable plastic bottles are disclosed in EP-A-0 247 666. In general, a refillable plastic bottle must remain aesthetically and functionally viable over a minimum of five and preferably over ten trips or loops to be considered feasible. Such a trip comprises, by way of example, (1) an empty caustic wash followed by (2) contaminant inspection and product filling, (3) warehouse storage, (4) distribution to retail locations and (5) purchase, use and empty storage by the consumer followed by eventual return to the bottler. To withstand this trip, the bottle must have extremely good chemical and physical properties. Manufacturers of packaging materials have realized this and have developed materials that approach the demands. However, there is still room for improvements.
- There are today several polymers, which provide for example the clarity and physical properties as well as the barrier properties. Non-limiting examples include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), acrylonitrile, polyamides, polycarbonates, PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), etc. PEN is a member of a class of materials called NDC-based polyesters (NDC - dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate). Other examples of materials within this class include, besides PEN, terephthalate/-naphthalate(T/N)copolyesters and blends of these materials (including PEN) with PET. All these materials meet the above demands to a more and less satisfactory extent. PET is rather cheap and has acceptable gas barrier properties. On the other hand, PEN has much better gas barrier properties than PET and also excellent mechanical properties.
- Due to new demands from the bottlers, in particular the breweries, the leading suppliers of plastic bottles have developed thin-walled PEN bottles which compete well with conventional PET bottles. In further comparing PET with PEN, it has been found that the barrier against sunlight is better in case of PEN than in case of PET. Thus, the contents of a PEN bottle is better protected from sunlight than that of a PET bottle.
- The increased light barrier depends on the fact that PEN absorbs a greater amount of light at certain wavelengths. An increased absorbance of UV light as a part of the sunlight brings about the effect that PEN is more easily degraded, which in the polymer art is called photo-oxidative degradation of polymers. UV stabilisers must be added to several of the most usual polymers, such as polypropylene (PP), if said polymers are to be used in an outdoor environment subjecting them to sunlight.
- Tests have been made wherein UV-stabilisers (photostabilisers) have been admixed with compositions based on PEN but with bad results. The problem was that very high concentrations of such additive were required in order to obtain an effect at all. Such high concentrations bring about high costs and further increase the risk of migration into the beverage and thus an off-taste. Examples of known photostabilisers are hindered amines, such as TINUVIN 234 and TINUVIN P (Ciba).
- In case of PEN bottles it is noticed that the degradation due to exposure to sunlight is really a problem. The sunlight degrades the outer surface layer of the plastic bottle creating an uneven surface which, when viewed under a microscope, has very small crater-like voids, which are invisible to the naked eye. Due to a diffuse reflection, this uneven surface appears as a haziness to a viewer. Many times a consumer refuses from buying a bottle having such haziness. Indeed, hazing of such bottles is disadvantageous.
- Prior to the present invention, the hazing problem has been solved by using bottles having improved resistance to haziness.This in turn has been achieved by manufacturing bottles starting from polymers having a certain resistance to haziness or polymers to which substances have been added which impart resistance to haziness to the polymers.
- The main object of the invention is to provide a plastic container having improved resistance to haziness, the plastic comprising at least one plastic component, which is PEN.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a method of reducing haze on plastic containers, the plastic comprising at least one plastic component, which is PEN.
- Still another object is to provide a solution of the above haze problem by the use of a coating on a refillable container for beverages.
- These objects are attained by the subject matter of claims 1, 6 and 10, respectively.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention appear from the dependant claims.
- As to the above haze problem, this is particularly accentuated in case of refillable containers or bottles wherein the bottles are passed through a certain number of trips and are exposed to diluted lye solutions when being cleaned. These trip passages bring about a more severe degradation of the outer surface layer of the bottles. This severe problem is solved by the invention.
- In accordance with the invention the haze problem is solved by providing the container with a protective coating, by which the microscopic voids are "filled", thereby reinstating the even surface and reducing the haziness.
- According to a preferred embodiment, the container is provided with a protective film-forming coating. In case of refillable containers which during their shelf lives are subjected to several washing-filling cycles, the containers are provided with such coatings at appropriate times, preferably either between washing and filling or after filling.
- According to still another preferred embodiment the container comprises a plurality of layers forming a structure which is often referred to as a multi-layer structure. Preferably, the outer layer is formed of PEN, although the invention by no means is restricted thereto.
- It should be noted that the expression "PEN bottle" denotes a bottle solely made of PEN or comprising at least one layer of PEN.
- According to a preferred embodiment, which relates to a refillable PEN container in the shape of a bottle, as defined above, the coating is soluble in hot water and in a diluted aqueous lye solution (alkaline) and the coating is applied after the bottle is refilled. Alternatively, the coating is applied before the bottle has been refilled. By this coating, any hazed PEN bottle can return to its original appearance and can be reused, thus resulting in a less number of discarded bottles.
- The coating provided on the bottles do not stop the UV initiated degradation per se but fills the voids and thereby reduces the haziness to a very high extent. Thanks to the coating, the bottles have a very nice appearance resulting in a better acceptance by the consumers.
- The coating materials are not critical to the invention. Any material can be used as long as the desired reduction of the haze is achieved by filling the voids in the outer surface. Those skilled in the art can select the most feasible material for each application. As non-limiting examples may be mentioned waxes, such as vegetable waxes, animal waxes, synthetic waxes, and mixtures thereof. Vegetable waxes are preferred. Waxes have in general a melting point in the range of 50-90°C. Thus, they can be removed from a surface by hot water. Emulsions of waxes, such as Carnauba wax, Japan wax provide very good results.
- According to a preferred embodiment, the coating emulsion contains conventional additives which facilitate the coating process. Such additives comprise for example surfactants, especially biodegradable surfactants. The expression "wax based composition" as used herein does not exclude such additives. As a further example of an additive in the wax composition, UV stabilisers may be mentioned. They are generally incorporated in low concentrations. As alternative coating materials various lacquer resins can be mentioned, preferably of latex type. Emulsions of natural or synthetic resins, e g epoxy resins, phenolic resins, acrylic resins, etc, with ability to form film coatings are suitable. As mentioned above, the choice of coating material is not critical and is substantially determined by other factors, such as supply, costs, coating technique, etc.
- The coating is applied on the surface of the bottle using conventional processes, such as roll coating, spray coating, immersing or brushing, dried and optionally heat-treated to form a film having a thickness of up to about 0,1 mm.
Claims (10)
- A plastic container for beverages, such as carbonated soft drinks, beer and the like, having improved resistance to haziness, the plastic comprising at least one plastic component, characterised in that said at least one plastic component is PEN, and that the outer surface of the container is provided with a coating imparting improved resistance to haziness to the container.
- A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a multi-layer structure, in which at least one layer comprises PEN.
- A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is refillable and provided with the coating in connection with the refilling.
- A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said coating comprises a composition based on waxes or a mixture thereof.
- A container as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein said coating comprises a composition based on lacquer resin.
- A method of reducing haze on plastic containers for beverages, the plastic comprising at least one plastic component, the container being refillable and of the type that is subjected to at least one trip during its shelf life, said trip including a washing step and a filling step, characterised in that said at least one plastic component comprises PEN and that a coating is applied on the outer surface of the container between said steps or after the filling step to impart to the container an improved resistance to haziness.
- A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the washing solution used in the washing step is alkaline.
- A method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said coating comprises a composition based on waxes or a mixture thereof.
- A method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said container comprises at least one layer comprising PEN.
- Use of a wax or laquer based composition as an outer coating on a refillable container for beverages, said container comprising at least partly PEN said coating imparting to the container improved resistance to haziness.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE0000598 | 2000-02-24 | ||
SE0000598A SE0000598L (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2000-02-24 | Plastic containers with improved resistance to dullness and ways to reduce dullness of plastic containers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1132308A2 true EP1132308A2 (en) | 2001-09-12 |
EP1132308A3 EP1132308A3 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
Family
ID=20278568
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP01850038A Withdrawn EP1132308A3 (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2001-02-23 | Plastic container having improved haze resistance and a method of reducing haze in plastic containers |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1132308A3 (en) |
NO (1) | NO20010903L (en) |
SE (1) | SE0000598L (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0247666A1 (en) | 1986-05-23 | 1987-12-02 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Amplifier arrangement |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4023909A1 (en) * | 1990-07-27 | 1992-01-30 | Wild Rudolf Gmbh & Co | REUSABLE PLASTIC CONTAINER AND ITS PRODUCTION AND USE |
JP2800849B2 (en) * | 1991-04-26 | 1998-09-21 | ピーピージー インダストリーズ,インコーポレイテッド | Pressurizable thermoplastic resin container having outer polyurethane layer and method for producing the same |
US5628957A (en) * | 1992-07-07 | 1997-05-13 | Continental Pet Technologies, Inc. | Method of forming multilayer container with polyethylene naphthalalte (pen) |
US5334322A (en) * | 1992-09-30 | 1994-08-02 | Ppg Industries, Inc. | Water dilutable chain belt lubricant for pressurizable thermoplastic containers |
CH687614A5 (en) * | 1994-02-04 | 1997-01-15 | Tetra Pak Suisse Sa | A method of providing a packaging with excellent barrier properties with respect to gases. |
US5545375A (en) * | 1994-10-03 | 1996-08-13 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Blood collection tube assembly |
US5686157A (en) * | 1996-01-30 | 1997-11-11 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Blood collection tube assembly |
US6426128B1 (en) * | 1998-01-06 | 2002-07-30 | Hna Holdings, Inc. | Co-processable multi-layer laminates for forming high strength, haze-free, transparent articles and methods of producing same |
-
2000
- 2000-02-24 SE SE0000598A patent/SE0000598L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2001
- 2001-02-22 NO NO20010903A patent/NO20010903L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-02-23 EP EP01850038A patent/EP1132308A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0247666A1 (en) | 1986-05-23 | 1987-12-02 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Amplifier arrangement |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
SE0000598D0 (en) | 2000-02-24 |
SE0000598L (en) | 2001-08-25 |
NO20010903L (en) | 2001-08-27 |
NO20010903D0 (en) | 2001-02-22 |
EP1132308A3 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
AU723993B2 (en) | Process for making pen/pet blends and transparent articles therefrom | |
US6395865B2 (en) | Process for making pen/pet blends and transparent articles therefrom | |
EP0734316B2 (en) | Multilayer preform and container with polyethylene naphthalate (pen), and method of forming same | |
HU213531B (en) | Method of forming multilayer product, especially container, bottle, and multilayer container, bottle, made from multilayer material and preform forming the container, the bottle | |
EP0739317A1 (en) | Method of producing an article with a body of glass having protective coatings of polymeric material | |
JP2008201463A (en) | Shrink label and labeled container | |
JP2010526154A (en) | Preforms and containers for radiation sensitive products and methods for their production | |
EP1132308A2 (en) | Plastic container having improved haze resistance and a method of reducing haze in plastic containers | |
US20070259140A1 (en) | Method of Coating Labels on Containers | |
CA2743953A1 (en) | Beverage containers having coated labels with modified gas barrier properties and related methods | |
US20060105128A1 (en) | Moulded thermoplastic articles and process to make them | |
EP0714832B1 (en) | Mineral water bottle without off-taste | |
EP0730633B1 (en) | Process for washing refillable plastic bottles | |
EP1794098B1 (en) | Coating product for masking scuffings on glass or plastic surfaces | |
US20230054370A1 (en) | Container systems that include sleeve labels | |
KR100660147B1 (en) | Shrink film | |
KR20060028471A (en) | Label film for injection molding | |
Kochanski | Vinyl—a new blow molding polymer | |
JP6296741B2 (en) | Plastic labels and containers with plastic labels | |
WO1998006557A1 (en) | Improved plastic container and preform for making | |
DE102004063327A1 (en) | Packing unit with protruding label for packing of products has packing and label which partially exceeds packing | |
WO2019210119A1 (en) | Pressurized refill container resistant to standing ring cracking | |
JP2019048470A (en) | Heat shrinkable film, molded article using the film, heat shrinkable label, and container fitted with the molded article or the label | |
JPS581025B2 (en) | Glass bottle that can remove scratches | |
Boyle | Let's talk trends |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: REXAM AKTIEBOLAG |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: 7B 65D 1/02 B Ipc: 7B 65D 23/08 A |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20040603 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20041027 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20060117 |