MXPA00003372A - Multilayer container - Google Patents

Abstract

A multilayer container (10) for dispensing product that includes a relatively rigid outer body (12) and a relatively flexible inner liner (14) for holding product to be dispensed. The relatively rigid outer body includes, and preferably consists essentially of, an outer layer (22) of virgin polyethylene such as HDPE, and an inner thicker layer (24) that includes polyethylene regrind. The relatively flexible inner liner includes, and preferably consists essentially of, an outer delamination layer (26) adjacent to the inner layer of the body and composed of nylon, nylon blends or EVOH, an inner layer (28) of polyethylene such as LLDPE, and an adhesive securing the inner and outer layers of the liner. The relatively thin outer HDPE layer on the plastic body provides desired appearance, while the thicker inner layer provides structural rigidity using reground plastics. The nylon, nylon blend or EVOH outer liner layer provides improved barrier properties against migration of water, gases and flavorants, while the inner layer of LLDPE provides primarily enhanced flexibility and freedom from cracking, as well as additional barrier moisture qualities.

Description

PACK OF MULTIPLE FACES The present invention relates to multi-layer packages particularly to packages comprising a relatively rigid outer plastic body and a relatively flexible inner plastic coating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This has been proposed so far to provide a. package in the form of a relatively rigid external plastic body and a relatively flexible inner plastic liner. The container body has a dispensing opening at one end and an atmospheric opening at the opposite end. The inner lining is matched to the distribution opening. When containers of this type are used in conjunction with distributors or aerosol pumps, for example, the inner lining is delaminated from and collapses within the external plastic body as the product is distributed, with air entering through an atmospheric opening between the external body and the collapsing lining.

As the coating collapses when the product is distributed, overburden cracks or holes may appear along the casings and folds of the casing, causing filtration and loss of the casing.

REF; 119290 product. It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a multi-layer package of the type material in which the coating is easily delamlated from the relatively rigid plastic body as the product is distributed, in which the coating not only provides properties of Improved barrier but also improves flexibility for elimination of overload cracks and holes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a package of the type material that exhibits reduced product weight loss as compared to structures in the prior art. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multilayer container of the described characteristics that uses crushed plastic in the package of the container to promote the recycling of dirt and debris.

A multi-layer package for product distribution includes a relatively rigid outer plastic body and a relatively flexible inner plastic coating to hold the product to be dispensed. According to one aspect of the present invention, the relatively rigid outer body includes, and preferably consists essentially of, an outer layer of virgin polyethylene such as HDPE, and a thicker inner layer that includes grinding processes. According to another aspect of the present invention, the relatively flexible inner liner includes, and preferably consists essentially of, an outer layer divided into sheets adjacent to an inner layer of the body and composed of nylon, nylon blends, or EVOH, an inner layer of polyethylene such as LLDPE, and an adhesive ensuring the inner and outer layers of the coating. The relatively thin outer layer of HDPE in the plastic bodies provides the desired appearance, while the thicker inner layer provides structural rigidity using recycled plastics. The outer lining layer of nylon, nylon or EVOH blend provides improved barrier properties against the migration of water, gases and flavorings, while the inner layer of LLDPE provides increased flexibility, free of rupture and additional barrier properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, together with the additional objectives, features and advantages thereof, will be understood in the best manner of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a multi-layer package according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the package illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom plane view of the package illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 in Figure 2; Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the portion of Figure 4 within the circle 5; Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the portion of Figure 4 within the circle 6; Y Figure 6-A illustrates the delamination of the structure illustrated in Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILED MODEL.? The Figures illustrate a package 10 conforming to a present preferred embodiment of the invention as comprising a relatively rigid external plastic body 12 and a relatively flexible internal plastic coating 14. The body 12 has a dispensing opening 16 surrounded by one end of the container 18 at one end of the body, and an atmospheric opening 20 disposed at the opposite end of the body. The inner liner 14 communicates with the opening 16 at the end 18 of the body of the container 12, and is closed on the other hand to prevent the ingress of air. The opening 20 comprises a channel extending diametrically through the lower end or the bottom of the container 12, being formed by the separation of the tail of the molded plastic body when the molds begin to open after the canister has been made.

For the scope most widely described, the package 10 is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Application Serial No. 08 / 807,944 assigned to the agent thereof and incorporated herein by reference for purposes of background. When a pump or aerosol dispenser is secured to the end of the container 18, the product within the coating 14 can be distributed by operation of pumps or aerosol dispenser. As the product is distributed, the negative pressure inside the liner 14 causes in the liner 14 separation of the container body 12. The atmospheric air inlet opening 20 allows such separation. Thus, the coating collapses as the product is distributed, while the body 12 retains its original configuration due to its inherent rigidity as well as to the separation of the lining from the internal surface of the body. The package 10 is preferably manufactured by a co-extrusion. and blow molding process of the type illustrated in U.S. Patents 3,781,395, 3,767,747 and 3,978,184.

According to the present invention, the relatively rigid outer plastic body 12 includes, and preferably consists essentially of, a thin outer layer 22 and a thicker inner layer 24. Likewise, the coating 14 according to the present invention includes, and preferably consists essentially of an outer layer 26 and an inner layer 28. These layers are formed in a different conventional blow-molded co-construction operation, such as those disclosed in US Pat. Patents cited immediately before. The outer layer 22 of the container body 12 preferably consists of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and has a thickness not greater than 0.004 inches. The inner layer 24 of the container body 12 preferably comprises 70% virgin HDPE and 30% processed grinding (i.e., crushed HDPE, LLDPE, nylon, nylon or EVOH mixture, and pre-grinding of deterioration and debris processes). The inner layer 24 preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.006 to 0.020 inches. Thus, the outer layer 22 provides the desired appearance to the entire package, while the inner layer 24 provides structural rigidity using shredded materials.

The outer layer 26 of liner 14 is preferably of composition selected from the group consisting of nylon, nylon and EVOH blends, having a thickness in the range of 0.002 to 0.004 inches. The inner layer 28 preferably comprises linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), having a thickness in the preferred range of 0.002 to 0.004 inches. The coating 14 also includes an adhesive, which is preferably mixed with the LLDPE material of the inner layer 28 at a percentage of 80% virgin LLDPE to 20% adhesive. This adhesive secures the inner layer 28 to the outer layer 26. Alternatively, the adhesive can be provided in the form of a thin layer between the layers 26, 28, which would use less adhesive material and prevent contact between the adhesive material and the product contained within the coating 14. The nylon, nylon blend or EVOH composition of outer layer 26 provides ready delamination of coating 14 of package body 12, and also provides a barrier against product loss, gas migration or loss of flavor products. The LLDPE material of the inner liner 28 provides high flexibility while the resistant formation of overburden cracks and holes as the lining 14 collapses.

The tests have been carried out in containers according to the present invention using a nylon material crystallized in layer 26 and a liquid soap product. The projected annual product loss was 0.1% at 73 ° F, 1.3% at 100 ° F and 2.5% at 120 ° F.

Thus it will be recognized that a multi-layer package has been provided in accordance with the present invention, which fully satisfies all previously stated purposes and purposes. The two-layer construction of the inner liner or bag 14 provides improved barrier properties while eliminating overburden cracks and holes. The two-layer construction of the liner 14 also provides improved flexibility and strength. The overall package exhibits an annual loss of weight of the reduced product. No pre-delation is required between the coating and the container body when the product is distributed. The processed shredding is recycled inside the package. The process does not need the use of nitrogen as support air.

Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following are declared as property:

Claims (1)

1. REI INDICATIONS l.A container with multiple layers to distribute the product characterized because it comprises: a relatively rigid outer plastic body and a relatively flexible internal plastic coating to hold the product to be distributed, said relatively rigid outer body includes an outer layer of virgin polyethylene, and an inner layer thicker than said outer layer and includes the processed crushed, said relatively flexible inner liner includes an outer layer adjacent said inner layer of said body and composed of a barrier material that does not adhere to said body, and an inner layer (26) of polyethylene. The container mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that said inner lining includes an adhesive bond with said inner layer of said lining to said outer layer of said lining. - The container mentioned in claim 2 characterized in that said adhesive is mixed with said polyethylene of said inner layer of said coating. The container mentioned in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said outer layer of said coating is selected from the group consisting of nylon / nylon mixtures and EVOH, The container mentioned in claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said inner layer. of said coating comprises LLDPE. The container mentioned in any preceding claim characterized in that said inner and outer layers of said coating each having a thickness in the range of 0.006 to 0.020 inches et al. The container mentioned in claim 6 characterized in that said outer layer of said coating is selected from the group consisting of nylon, nylon and EVOH blends, and wherein said inner layer of said coating comprises LLDPE. JS1 container mentioned in any preceding claim characterized in that said outer layer of said body is virgin HDPE, and said inner layer of said body is comprised of processed virgin and processed HDPE. The container mentioned in claim 8 characterized in that said inner layer of said body is 70% of virgin HDPE and 30% of crushed processed. The container mentioned in claim 8 characterized in that said outer layer of said body is not greater than 0.004 inches thick, and said inner layer of said body is within the range of 0.010 to 0. 020 inches thick. The container mentioned in any preceding claim characterized in that said relatively rigid outer body has a dispensing opening at one end and an atmospheric hole at an opposite end, and said relatively flexible internal sheath is opened at said dispensing opening.