RU2387540C2 - Single- and multi-layer products, their production by methods of extrusion - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packing industry.

SUBSTANCE: bottle extruded by blow moulding that consists of thinned neck part (beak) and main body part. The main body part has the first internal layer and the second layer. The first internal layer is made of the first material selected from the group that consists of polyether, thermoplastic material of phenoxy type, phenoxy-polyolefins and their combinations. The second layer is made of the second foam material, including expanded material and carrier material. At the same time the first internal layer and the second layer are jointly extruded to form a profile. Bottle is manufactured by blowing together with extrusion of profile. Material of the second layer is represented by material from the group that includes primary PET (polyethylene terephthalate), reused PET PETG (polyethylene terephthalate modified with glycol), foam, polypropylene, polyether, polyolefins, thermoplastic material of phenoxy type, phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastic compositions, reused ground rejected materials (wastes) and their combinations. The second material differs from the first internal material. Method for bottle manufacturing consists in joint extrusion of profile having the first internal layer and the second layer. Layers are manufactured accordingly to bottle layers. Version of bottle manufacturing consists in the fact that the second layer is installed outside the first internal layer and has the third layer made of pre-ground sectional material produced by grinding of residual material from extrusion process. At the same time the third layer is arranged outside the first inner layer and inside the second layer. Method of such bottle production includes operations of residual material grinding from extrusion process and joint extrusion of profile from three layers. Then profile is blown to produce a bottle. Extrusion profile for storage of drinks comprises the first extruded internal layer that comprises material selected from group that consists of thermoplastic material of phenoxy type, mixture of thermoplastics pnenoxy polyolefins and their combinations and the second layer. The second layer is selected on the basis of above specified polymers and sectional materials. It is desirable to eliminate unfavorable influence at the content in process of long-term storage of food or drinks in container.

EFFECT: efficient thermal barrier for reduction of heat exchange via container or package.

10 cl, 56 dwg

Description

Field of Inventions

[0001] The present invention relates to articles of molded material, and more particularly, to mono- and multilayer articles of molded material, and to methods for manufacturing such products.

State of the art

[0002] Products are commonly used for storing beverages and food products. The use of products, such as a plastic container, as a substitute for pure glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages is becoming increasingly popular. The advantages of plastic packaging are lighter weight, less brittleness compared to glass and potentially lower cost. Today, plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) are most commonly used to make beverage containers. Pure PET is approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use in contact with food. A container made of PET is usually transparent, thin-walled, lightweight and has the ability to maintain its shape, resisting the force acting on the walls of the container when the contents are under pressure, such as carbonated drinks. PET resins are also pleasantly cheap and easy to process.

[0003] Most PET bottles are produced in a process including blowing plastic blanks from a process including injection blowing or extrusion process. PET bottles cannot provide a sufficient thermal barrier that limits the passage of heat through the walls of PET bottles. It may be desirable to limit heat transfer between the liquid inside the bottle and the environment surrounding the bottle in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid inside the bottles. Similarly, most inexpensive food storage containers do not provide an effective thermal barrier to reduce heat transfer through the container. It may be desirable to limit heat transfer through the container or packaging.

[0004] In addition, products in the form of tanks, food packaging, and the like. may have inappropriate structural, barrier or other characteristics. For a long time, liquids, food, or drinks, such as soda, are stored in a container that may have an undesirable effect on its contents. Unfortunately, when food is in contact with the surface of certain materials of known products, the taste of food can undesirably change. It may be desirable to maintain the taste of foods in contact with the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, a method of forming a profile. Part of at least this profile contains a tensile material that can form a thermal barrier. The extrusion of the profile is carried out at a temperature suitable for blowing, while expanding part of at least the tensile material. The profile is blown into the container. In one embodiment, the profile is a single-layer profile, in another embodiment, the profile is a multilayer profile.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for producing a foam-coated article is provided, comprising the steps of: obtaining a foam-coated profile and blowing the profile to the desired shape of the container. In one embodiment, the method includes preheating the profile coated with the foam polymer before blowing, resulting in expansion of the microspheres in the microsphere-containing foam polymer coating. Microspheres can expand before blowing, during blowing and / or after blowing.

[0007] In one embodiment, the foam-coated article comprises one at least a layer of foam surrounding a portion of at least another layer, comprising mainly polyester. The foam contains a polymer carrier material and a foaming agent.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method for producing an article containing foam is provided. The foam may have a first component and a second component. The first component may expand upon thermal exposure. The first component may contain microspheres, which, in general, are in the first expansion state in one position, the second component is a carrier material mixed with the first component. When the mixture is heated, it expands, forming mainly closed foam cells.

[0009] In one embodiment, the mixture is formed into a profile having microspheres that expand from a first expansion state to a second expansion state. The profile is formed into a container having microspheres expanding from a second expansion state to a third expansion state; in one embodiment, the bulk of the microspheres remains unspent in the first position. The bulk of the microspheres can usually partially expand in the second position. The bulk of the microspheres can usually expand in the third position.

[0010] In one embodiment, the profile has a number of layers, one of which contains expandable material. A profile can be formed into a container. In one embodiment, the inner layer of the profile or container contains material suitable for contact with food products and / or liquids, it defines the enclosing chamber of the profile or container, in one embodiment, the inner layer contains thermoplastic material. The second layer of the profile or container contains expandable material, including polymer and microspheres. Alternatively, the expandable material may form an inner layer or gasket of a profile or container.

[0011] In one embodiment, the expandable material includes a carrier material and a foaming agent. The carrier material is preferably a material that can be mixed with microspheres to form an expandable material. The carrier material may be a thermoplastic or polymeric material, such as ethylene acrylic acid (EAA), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM), modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), poly (hydroxyamino esters) ( PHAE), polyethylene tetrafthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), cellulosic material, pulp, mixtures thereof, etc. In one embodiment, the foaming agent includes microspheres that expand when heated and interact with the carrier material to produce foam. In one embodiment, the foaming agent includes microspheres known under the trademark EXPANCEL ^® .

[0012] In preferred embodiments, the expandable material has insulating properties, reducing heat transfer through the walls of the container containing the expandable material. Therefore, expandable material can be used to maintain the temperature of food, liquids, and the like. In one embodiment, when there was a liquid in the container, the expandable material of the container reduces heat transfer between the liquid inside the container and the environment surrounding the container. In one embodiment, the container can keep the liquid chilled, and the expandable material of the container is a thermal barrier preventing heat transfer from the environment to the chilled liquid. Alternatively, a heated liquid may be contained within the container, and the expandable material of the container is a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer from the liquid to the environment surrounding the container. Although it is preferable to use a container for food and drinks, a similar container can be used for inedible products.

[0013] In one embodiment, the foam material is stamped to produce sheets formed into a food storage container, into trays, bottles, and the like. Sheets can be formed into trays adapted for storing food. Foam sheets can be pre-cut and shaped into a food storage container. The sheets may be shaped into the container in one or more ways, for example, by the method of thermal formation, by the method of vacuum formation, by the method of exhaust formation. In addition, sheets can be formed to obtain other products, such as loops (for example, live loops). In some embodiments, the sheet may be folded to form a loop.

[0014] In another embodiment, an article is provided comprising a foam material that forms a coating on a container or material based on paper or wood pulp. In one embodiment, the foam material is mixed with pulp. Foam material and pulp can be mixed to form a homogeneous, mostly mixture, which can be shaped into the desired shape. When giving the mixture the desired shape, it can be heated before, during and / or after formation, causing the expansion of part of at least the component of the foam material of the mixture.

[0015] In another embodiment, the profile comprises a first at least a layer containing material suitable for contact with food products and a second layer containing polypropylene. The first layer may contain PET, and the second layer may contain foam material including polypropylene and microspheres. The first layer may contain PET, and the second layer may mainly or only polypropylene. The first layer may contain a phenoxy-type thermoplastic, and the second layer may contain another material, such as polypropylene. The profile can be formed into the container in one or more ways, for example, by blowing.

[0016] In one embodiment, a method for producing bottles includes producing a profile having an inner layer of material processed at a low temperature (eg, PET, regenerated PET) and an outer layer of a material processed at a high temperature (eg, PP). The outer layer of the profile can be extruded at a temperature that is usually not suitable for obtaining the inner layer. For example, the material on the outside may have a higher processing temperature than the material on the inside. Accordingly, the inner layer may be at a lower temperature than the outer layer. The profile is blown into the bottle after extrusion of the profile. Thus, layers containing materials with different properties can be processed together. In one of the modifications, the outer layer contains, mainly or completely, PP.

[0017] In another embodiment, a tube is provided having a first layer and a second layer. In one embodiment, the first layer contains PET, and the second layer contains PP and a foaming agent. The first layer may contain mainly PET, and the second layer may contain foam material with PP. In another modification, the tube is formed by a joint extrusion process. The tube can be squeezed into a container. The tube can be used as a fluid transport line to deliver the required fluids.

[0018] In some embodiments, the product has a threaded neck portion and a body portion. The body part comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has an upper end ending below the thread of the neck portion and containing foam material. The second layer is located inside the first layer. In some embodiments, the product is in the form of a profile, bottles, containers, and the like. The second layer may contain material suitable for contact with food. For example, the second layer may comprise a material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, phenoxy-type thermoplastic, and combinations thereof.

[0019] In some embodiments, the bottle has a neck portion and a body portion. The body portion has an inner layer containing polyester and an outer layer containing foam material. Foam material includes polypropylene. The inner layer and the outer layer define a portion of at least the walls of the body portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, the beverage transfer profile has a body portion including a first layer and a second layer. The first layer contains expandable material, the second layer contains a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, phenoxy-type thermoplastic and combinations thereof, the second layer being the innermost layer.

[0021] In one embodiment, the extruded beverage storage profile has a first extruded layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of foam, polypropylene, and a combination thereof, and the second extruded layer is suitable for contact with food products.

[0022] In one embodiment, the extruded beverage storage profile has a first extruded layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, a mixture of phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastics, and combinations thereof. The second extruded layer supports the first layer. One of at least one of the layers may have a relatively high softening resistance compared to one of at least the other layers. A layer with a high resistance to softening can support and carry in the profile a layer with a lower resistance to softening. Thus, in the extrusion process, materials having different softening resistances can be used. For example, a PET layer may be extruded with another material (for example, phenoxy, olefins, PETG, foam, etc.) having a greater softening resistance than PET. In addition, regenerated PET with a relatively low resistance to softening can be extruded with one or more other materials having a high resistance to softening.

[0023] In one embodiment, the extruded profile has a first layer containing material suitable for contact with food products and a second layer containing polypropylene.

[0024] In one embodiment, the bottle has a threaded neck portion and a body portion having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer contains foam material. The second layer is located inside the first layer. The second layer contains a material suitable for contact with food products selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, phenoxy-type thermoplastic, and combinations thereof.

[0025] In one embodiment, the blow-extruded bottle comprises a neck portion and a body portion. The body portion has an inner layer containing polyester and an outer layer containing foam material. Foam material contains polypropylene. The inner layer and the outer layer form part of at least the walls of the body part.

[0026] In one embodiment, the blow-extruded bottle comprises a neck portion and a body portion. The bottle contains the first material and the second material. The first material is selected from the group consisting of foam, polypropylene, and combinations thereof. The second material is selected from the group consisting of natural PET, regenerated PET, PETG, foam, polypropylene, polyester, polyolefins, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, thermoplastics such as phenoxy-polyolefins, nanocomposites, refined materials, and combinations thereof.

[0027] In one embodiment, the bottle has a neck portion and a body portion. The housing part comprises a first material and a second material. The first material is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastics, and combinations thereof. The second material is selected from the group consisting of natural PET, regenerated PET, PETG, foam, polypropylene, polyester, polyolefins, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, thermoplastic mixtures such as phenoxy-polyolefins, nanocomposites, refined materials, and combinations thereof.

[0028] In one embodiment, the bottle contains foam material. The foam material contains microspheres and a binder.

[0029] In one embodiment, the bottle has a first layer comprising polymeric material and extending longitudinally from the body portion to the end of the neck portion adapted to insert a closure member. The second layer, passing along with the first layer and adhered to it, contains foam material.

[0030] In one embodiment, the food container has a number of layers. The row of layers includes a first layer and a second layer associated with the first layer. The first layer contains foam material having microspheres.

[0031] In one embodiment, a method for producing an extruded profile comprises forming a first profile layer. The first layer contains a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, and combinations thereof. A second profile layer is formed. The second layer includes controlled expandable material.

[0032] In one embodiment, a method for producing an extruded, blown bottle includes extruding a uniform, generally, profile, in which a portion of at least the material forming the profile partially expands to form a foam. The profile is blown into a bottle having a first layer of foam material and a second layer containing a material selected from the group consisting of PET, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, and combinations thereof.

[0033] In one embodiment, a method for producing bottles includes producing an extruded profile containing two at least layers. The first inner layer contains PET, and the second layer contains PP. A profile contains one or more materials that may be at different temperatures. For example, a portion of at least the first profile layer may be at a first temperature, and a portion of at least a second profile layer may be at a second temperature. Adhesion may occur on the inner surface between the extruded layers.

[0034] In one embodiment, a method of forming a food container includes forming a food container body. Form a sheet of foam material, give it a shape corresponding to the body. The sheet is fastened to the body of the food container.

[0035] In one embodiment, the liquid dispersion system comprises a dispersion machine configured to communicate with the gas system. The fluid source contains fluid. One or more extruded pipelines are arranged to be in fluid communication between the dispersion machine and the fluid source. One or more extruded pipelines comprise a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is suitable for contact with food. The second layer provides support for the first layer. The second layer may have greater softening resistance and / or other properties that facilitate processing of the first layer.

[0036] In one embodiment, the tube has a first layer comprising a thermoplastic material. The second layer contains PP. In another embodiment, the tube has a first layer containing PVA material, and a second layer, for example, a liner containing a phenoxy type thermoplastic.

[0037] In one embodiment, the laminate comprises a first layer of foam material configured to expand under the influence of heat. The second layer is bonded to the first layer.

[0038] In one embodiment, a method of forming a laminate includes the use of a first material. Expandable material is used. The first material and expandable material are extruded together. Sheets are formed from co-extruded first material and expandable material. The first material forms a substantially solid layer, and the expandable material forms a foam layer.

[0039] In another embodiment, the bottle has a neck portion and a body portion. The body part has a first inner layer and a second layer. The first inner layer comprises a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastics, and combinations thereof. The second layer contains a second material selected from the group consisting of natural PET, regenerated PET, PETG, foam, polypropylene, polyester, polyolefins, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, thermoplastic mixtures such as phenoxy-polyolefins, nanocomposites, refined materials, and combinations thereof. The second material is different from the first material.

[0040] In another embodiment, the bottle has a neck portion and a body portion. The body part has a first inner layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first inner layer contains a first material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, phenoxy-type thermoplastic, and combinations thereof. The second layer contains refined materials. The second layer is located outside with respect to the first inner layer. The third layer contains a material selected from the group consisting of natural PET, regenerated PET, PETG, foam, polypropylene, polyester, polyolefins, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, thermoplastic mixtures such as phenoxy-polyolefins, nanocomposites, refined materials, and combinations thereof. The third layer is located outside with respect to the second layer.

[0041] In another embodiment, a method for producing bottles includes extruding a profile having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer contains the first material selected from the group consisting of natural PET, regenerated PET, PETG, foam, polypropylene, polyester, polyolefins, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, thermoplastic mixtures such as phenoxy-polyolefins, nanocomposites, refined materials, and combinations thereof. The second layer contains a second material selected from the group consisting of natural PET, regenerated PET, PETG, foam, polypropylene, polyester, polyolefins, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, thermoplastic mixtures such as phenoxy-polyolefins, nanocomposites, refined materials, and combinations thereof. The second material is different from the first material. One of the layers may have greater softening resistance and / or other properties that facilitate processing of the other layer.

[0042] In one embodiment, the liquid dispersion system comprises a dispersion machine configured to communicate with the gas system. The fluid source contains fluid. One or more extruded pipelines are in fluid communication between the dispersion machine and the fluid source. One or more extruded pipelines have a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is suitable for contact with food, and the second layer provides support for the first layer. The second layer may have greater softening resistance and / or other properties that facilitate processing of the first layer.

[0043] In another embodiment, the extruded beverage storage profile comprises a first extruded inner layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastic, a mixture of phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastic, and combinations thereof. The second extruded layer supports the first layer.

[0044] In one embodiment, the bottle has a neck portion and a body portion. The body part has a first inner layer and a second layer, the first inner layer containing a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, a mixture of phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastics and combinations thereof, and the second layer contains foam material, the foam material comprising to expand the material and the material of the carrier, and the first inner layer and the second layer are extruded together, forming a profile. A bottle is obtained by blowing together a extruded profile.

[0045] In another embodiment, a method for producing bottles includes extruding a profile having a first inner layer and a second layer. The first inner layer contains a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastics mixtures, and combinations thereof. The second layer contains foam material, which includes expandable material and carrier material. The profile is blown to form a bottle.

[0046] In another embodiment, the bottle has a neck portion and a body portion. The body part has a first inner layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first inner layer contains a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastic, phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastic blends, phenoxy-polyolefin-type functional thermoplastic blends, and combinations thereof. The second layer contains a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, functional polypropylene, and combinations thereof. The second layer is located outside the first inner layer. The third layer contains regrind piece material. The regrind piece material is obtained by grinding the waste of the blowing process. Waste includes the first material and the second material. The third layer is located outside with respect to the first inner layer and inside with respect to the second layer.

[0047] In another embodiment, a method for producing bottles comprises forming a regrind of piece material with regrind residual material from a blowing process. The residual material contains a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastic, phenoxy-type functional thermoplastic, phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastic mixtures, phenoxy-polyolefin-type functional thermoplastic mixtures, and combinations thereof. The second material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, functional polypropylene and mixtures thereof. The co-blown profile has a first inner layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first inner layer contains the first material. The second layer contains the second material. The second layer is located outside with respect to the first inner layer. The third layer contains regrind piece material. The third layer is located outside with respect to the first inner layer and inside with respect to the second layer. The profile is blown out to get a bottle.

[0048] In another embodiment, the liquid dispersion system comprises a dispersion machine configured to communicate with the gas system. The fluid source contains fluid. One or more extruded pipelines are in fluid communication between the dispersion machine and the fluid source. The first layer is suitable for contact with food, and the second layer provides support for the first layer.

[0049] In another embodiment, the extruded beverage storage profile has a first extruded inner layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastic, phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastic mixtures, phenoxy-polyolefin-type thermoplastic functional mixtures, and combinations thereof. The second extruded layer contains a material selected from the group consisting of foam, polypropylene, regrind piece materials and combinations thereof. The second extruded layer supports the first extruded inner layer.

[0050] In another embodiment, the blow-extruded container has an inner layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester. The outer layer contains a thermoplastic material having a heat resistance greater than the heat resistance of the thermoplastic polyester of the inner layer. The intermediate layer provides adhesion between the inner layer and the outer layer. Layers are extruded together before blowing.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermoplastic polyester of the inner layer is PET. In another embodiment, the inner layer further comprises at least one oxygen scavenger and a passive barrier material mixed with a thermoplastic polyester. In another embodiment, the polyamide is MXD 6. In another embodiment, the oxygen scavengers are dispersed unsaturated olefin material in PET and a transition metal catalyst. In another embodiment, the oxygen scavenger is present in an amount of about 1 to 20 percent by weight based on the total weight of the inner layer. In another embodiment, the oxygen scavenger is present in an amount of about 1 to 10 percent by weight based on the total weight of the inner layer. In another embodiment, the oxygen scavenger is present in an amount of about 1 to 5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the inner layer. In another embodiment, the passive barrier material is present in an amount of about 1 to 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the inner layer. In another embodiment, the passive barrier material is present in an amount of about 1 to 10 percent by weight based on the total weight of the inner layer. In another embodiment, the passive barrier material is present in an amount of about 1 to 5 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the inner layer. The thermoplastic material of the outer layer is polypropylene. In another embodiment, the polypropylene is clarified polypropylene. In another embodiment, the polypropylene contains a passive barrier material in an amount of from 1 to 15 percent. In another embodiment, a portion of at least the outer layer is foamed. In another embodiment, the outer layer further comprises at least one of blowing agents and a reaction product of the blowing agent. In another embodiment, the blowing agent is selected from the group consisting of azobisformamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, diazoaminobenzene, N5N dimethyl N5N dinitroso-terephthalamide, N5N dimitrosopentamethylene tetramine, benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, benzene 1,3 disulfonyl sulfonyl hydrazide 3-di-3-diisulfonyl, 3-di-sulfonyl-di-3-di-4-dihydrazide, sulfonyl hydrazide, r toluene sulfonyl semicarbiside, barium azodicarboxylate, butylamine nitrile, nitrourease, triazine trihydroazine, phenyl methyl trimmed, p sulfonhydrazide, peroxides, ammonium bicarbonate, bicarbon sodium ata. In another embodiment, compressed gas may be used to form closed foam cells. In another embodiment, before extrusion, the foaming agent is present in the thermoplastic material in an amount of about 1 to 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the outer layer. In another embodiment, before extrusion, the foaming agent is in the thermoplastic material in an amount of about 1 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the outer layer. In another embodiment, before extrusion, the foaming agent is in the thermoplastic material in an amount of about 1 to 5 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the outer layer. In another embodiment, the intermediate binder layer comprises a thermoplastic binder. In another embodiment, the thermoplastic binder comprises a dispersed unsaturated olefimichesky material in PET and a transition metal catalyst. In another embodiment, the bonding layer comprises at least one oxygen scavenger and a passive barrier material. In another embodiment, the inner layer has a thickness less than the thickness of one of at least the intermediate binder layers and the outer layer.

[0052] In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a blow-extruded container includes co-blowing several thermoplastic materials to form a multilayer tube. At a minimum, a segment of this multilayer tube is used for blowing. The multilayer tube is blown, obtaining a container extruded by blowing.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method further includes foaming the outer layer. In another embodiment, the method further comprises mixing the blowing agent with the thermoplastic of the outer layer before or during extrusion. In another embodiment, the blowing agent is selected from the group consisting of azobisformamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, diazoaminobenzene, N5N dimethyl N5N dinitroso terephthalamide, N5N dimitrosopentamethylene tetramine, benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, benzene 1,3 disulfonyl sulfonyl hydrazide, 4-disulfonyl disulfonyl hydrazide, 3-disulfonyl sulfonyl hydrazide, 4-disulphonyl sulfonyl hydrazide, 4-disulfonyl disulfonate, 4-disulfonyl-3-diisulfonyl-3-diisulfonyl-3-di-4-diisulfonated, benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, p toluene sulfonyl semicarbiside, barium azodicarboxylate, butylamine nitrile, nitrourease, triazine trihydroazine, phenyl methyl trimmed, p sulfonhydrazide, peroxides, ammonium bicarbonate and bicarbonate sodium nata. In another embodiment, the blowing agent is a compressed gas.

[0054] In some preferred embodiments, laminated materials, blanks, containers and articles containing PET and polypropylene and methods for their preparation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polypropylene may be grafted or modified with maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate, and / or similar compounds to improve adhesion. In another embodiment, the polypropylene further comprises “nanoparticles” or “nanoparticle material”. In another embodiment, the polypropylene contains nanoparticles and is grafted or modified maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate and / or similar compounds.

[0055] Preferably, laminated materials, preforms, containers and products can be manufactured using various technologies. For example, laminated materials, preforms, containers and products can be obtained by injection molding, reshaping, blowing, injection blowing, extrusion, co-extrusion and injection extrusion blowing, as well as by other methods described herein and / or by those of skill in the art.

[0056] In some non-limiting embodiments, the articles may be made of a material containing one or more layers or parts having one or more advantageous characteristics: an insulating layer, a barrier layer, UV protection layers, a protective layer (eg, a layer vitamins, wear protection layer, etc.), food contact layer, odor screening layer, dye screening layer, high strength layer, malleable layer, binder layer, getter layer (e.g. oxygen, dioxide carbon and the like), a layer or portion suitable for hot fill product layer having a softening resistance, suitable for blowing, strength, recyclability (after consumption and / or after the industrial use), purity, etc. In one embodiment, a single-layer or multi-layer material contains one or more of the following materials: PET (including recycled or natural PET), PETG, foam, polypropylene, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, polyolefins, phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastic blends and / or combinations thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0057] Figure 1 shows a preform used as a starting material for forming a container.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a cross section of the blank of Figure 1.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a cross section of a type blowing device that can be used to produce a preferred blank.

[0060] Figure 4 shows a side view of a container obtained from a workpiece.

[0061] FIG. 4A is a side view of another container obtained by blow molding.

[0062] Figure 5 shows a cross section of a multilayer workpiece.

[0063] Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of another multilayer preform having an extruded portion.

[0064] Figure 6 shows a cross section of a multilayer container obtained from the multilayer preform of Figure 5.

[0065] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the container of FIG. 6 taken in FIG. 7.

[0066] Figure 8 shows a cross section of a multilayer preform.

[0067] FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the blank of FIG. 8 taken in FIG. 8A.

[0068] Figure 9 shows a cross section of a multilayer preform having a multilayer neck portion.

[0069] Figure 10 shows a cross section of a multilayer workpiece made in accordance with another variant.

[0070] Figure 11 shows a cross section of a multilayer preform having an inner layer defining the interior of the preform.

[0071] FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a multilayer preform having an inner layer and an outer layer defining a neck portion.

[0072] Figures 12A and 12B show cross-sections of multilayer blanks, each of which has an inner layer and an outer layer defining a neck portion.

[0073] FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of a multilayer preform having an inner layer and an outer layer defining a neck portion.

[0074] Figure 13 shows a cross section of a multilayer workpiece having an inner layer with a flange.

[0075] FIGS. 13A and 13B show enlarged sections of parts of multilayer blanks in accordance with some embodiments.

[0076] FIG. 14 shows a cross section of a multilayer preform having an outer layer with a connecting structure.

[0077] FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a container made from the blank of FIG. 14, a locking element is connected to the container.

[0078] FIG. 14B is an enlarged view of a portion of the container and the locking member of FIG. 14A taken in FIG. 14B.

[0079] FIG. 14C is an enlarged view of a portion of the container and its shutter according to another embodiment.

[0080] FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a preform having a throat portion without thread.

[0081] FIG. 15B shows a cross section of the blank of FIG. 15A.

[0082] FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a multi-piece preform.

[0083] FIG. 16 shows a cross section of a preform according to another embodiment.

[0084] FIG. 17 shows a cross section of a preform according to another embodiment.

[0085] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a closure member suitable for closing a container.

[0086] FIG. 19 shows a cross section of a multilayer locking element having an inner layer.

[0087] Figure 20 shows a cross section of a multilayer locking element having an inner layer extending along the sides of the locking element.

[0088] FIGS. 21A-21E are cross-sectional views of multilayer locking elements.

[0089] FIGS. 22A-22B show sectional views of sheets.

[0090] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the profile.

[0091] FIG. 24 is a side view of one preferred packaging embodiment including a container having a label and a closure member.

[0092] FIG. 25 is a side view of a container and a closure member according to another embodiment.

[0093] On Figa shows a General view of the container.

[0094] FIG. 26B is a perspective view of a tray.

[0095] FIG. 27 schematically shows an embodiment of a layered molten flow generating system.

[0096] FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view of a laminate obtained from a layered molten flow generation system of FIG. 27.

[0097] FIG. 28 schematically shows an extruder and a mold that can be used in one embodiment to form a profile into a container, the mold is shown in the open position.

[0098] FIG. 29 schematically shows a shape of FIG. 28 in a closed position.

[0099] Fig. 30 shows schematically an extruder and a mold that can be used in another embodiment to form a profile into a container, the mold is shown in the open position.

[0100] FIG. 31 schematically shows an extruder and a mold of FIG. 30 with a mold in a closed position.

[0101] FIG. 32A schematically shows an extruder and a single layer material according to one embodiment.

[0102] FIG. 32B schematically shows a laminate according to another embodiment.

[0103] FIG. 33A schematically shows a liquid atomization system according to one embodiment.

[0104] FIG. 33B schematically shows a multilayer profile according to one embodiment.

[0105] FIG. 33C schematically shows another embodiment of a portion of a liquid atomizer.

[0106] FIG. 33D schematically shows an extruder and profile in accordance with one embodiment.

[0107] FIG. 33E schematically shows a multilayer profile according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description of Preferred Options

[0108] All patents and publications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Excluding, as further described herein, certain options, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and technologies described therein that may, in some embodiments, be similar to any one or more of the options, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and technologies described in US patent No. 6.109.006, 6.808.820, 6.528.546, 6.312.641, 6.391.408, 6.352.426, 6.676.883, applications for US patents No. 09/745013 ( publication No. 2002-0100566), 10/168496 (publication No. 2003-0220036), 09/844820 (2003-0031814), 10/090471 (publication No. 2003-0012904), 10/614731 (publication No. 2004-0071885), preliminary application 60/563021 filed April 16, 2004, provisional application 60/575231, filed May 28, 2004, provisional application 60/586399, filed July 7, 2004, and provisional application 60/620160, filed October 18, 2004, 60 / 621511, filed October 22, 2004, and 60/643008, filed January 11, 2005, on the file of the Attorney for US Patent Application No. APTREP1.090A, entitled MONO AND MULTI-LAYERED PRODUCTS AND COMPRESSION METHODS FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE, filed in the same the very day that this application, which are hereby incorporated into it by reference to them in their entirety. In addition, the options, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and technologies described therein may in some embodiments be applied or used in connection with any one or more of the options, features, systems, devices, materials, methods and technologies described in the aforementioned patents and applications.

A. Products

[0109] In preferred embodiments, the articles may contain one or more molding materials. The products described herein may be single-layer or multi-layer (i.e., having two or more layers). In some embodiments, the products may be packaging, such as beverage packaging (including blanks, containers, bottles, closures, etc.), boxes, boxes, and the like.

[0110] Multilayer products may have an inner layer (for example, a layer that is in contact with the contents of the container) of a material authorized by the regulatory body (for example, the US Food and Drug Association) or a material authorized by the regulatory body to be in contact with food (including drinks), medicines, cosmetics, etc. In another embodiment, the inner layer contains material (s), which may not have permission according to the regulatory scheme to be in contact with food. The second layer may contain a second material, which may be similar or different to the material forming the inner layer. Products can have as many layers as required. It is understood that products may contain one or more materials forming various parts that are not “layers”.

Detailed Description of Drawings

[0111] A preferred single layer preform 30 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Typically, preform 30 has a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34. The depicted preform 30 may have a single layer formed from material that can be blown. Preferably, the preform 30 is blown into a container for containing liquids such as non-carbonated liquids such as fruit juice, water and the like. It is possible to form the preform 30 into a container for other liquids, such as carbonated liquids. The preform 30 shown may be suitable for producing 16 ounce bottles of beverages that are best suited for carbonated beverages. The term “bottle” as used herein is a broad term used according to its usual meaning and may include, without limitation, containers (usually glass and / or plastic, having a relatively narrow neck or mouth), bottle-shaped containers for storing fluid substances (mainly liquids) etc. A bottle may or may not have a pen.

[0112] The illustrated blank 30 has a neck portion 32 starting from an opening 36 (FIG. 2) into the interior of the blank 30 and extending to and including the support ring 38. As used herein, the term “neck portion” is a broad term, used according to its ordinary meaning, and may include, without limitation, a portion of a workpiece adjacent to the body portion. The neck portion may include the end of the neck. The end of the neck together with the neck cylinder form what is referred to here as the “neck portion”. In the depicted embodiment, the neck portion 32 is further characterized by the presence of a thread 40, which is a means of fastening to the cap, or the locking element to the bottle obtained from the preform 30. Alternatively, the neck portion 32 may not have means for fastening to the locking element or have means for fastening with a locking element other than thread. The body portion 34 is elongated and typically has a cylindrical structure extending downward from the neck portion 32 and ending with the bottom 42. The illustrated bottom 42 is rounded, but the bottom 42 may also have other suitable shapes. The thickness of the preform 44 will depend on the total length of the preform 30, on the desired wall thickness and on the overall size of the resulting container.

[0113] In the blowing process shown in FIG. 3, the preform 30 is placed in a mold having a cavity corresponding to the shape of the desired container. The preform 30 is then heated and expanded by exposure to air or other suitable fluid into the interior of the preform to expand the preform so that it fills the cavity, thereby forming a container 37 (Figure 4). This blowing process is described in more detail below. A tensile rod or the like may also be used to facilitate the blowing process, as is known in the art.

[0114] In some embodiments, the blowing machine may receive heated products (for example, profiles such as glasses, blanks, etc.) to facilitate the blowing process, as is known in the art. In the mold 28, a heated preform from an injection molding machine, such as described herein, may be supplied. The preforms obtained from the injection molding machine can be quickly moved to mold 28 by the transfer system. The heat of the workpieces can be maintained using one or more methods: reducing the blowing time, reducing the energy required to heat the workpiece to a temperature suitable for blowing and / or the like.

[0115] Optionally, one or more delivery systems can be used to transport blanks to, or bottles from, a blow mold. For example, the delivery system may include a shuttle system (eg, a linear or rotating shuttle system) for transporting blanks to, or from, form 28. The shuttle system may feed blanks in groups to, or remove blown bottles from, form 28. Alternatively, the delivery system may include a reciprocating and / or wheeled delivery system. In some embodiments, a wheeled delivery system is used to quickly deliver blanks to, or bottles from, form 28. An advantage is that the wheeled delivery system can continuously transport products to, or from, form 28, thereby increasing productivity.

[0116] it is understood that the delivery system can be used in combination with a molding machine suitable for blowing blanks, extrusion blowing, extrusion profiles and the like. In addition, the delivery system may include a number of systems, such as a wheeled delivery system and a shuttle system, interacting to transport products.

[0117] In FIG. 4, an embodiment of a container 37 that can be obtained from the preform 30. The container 37 has a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34 corresponding to the neck and body parts of the preform 30. As described above with respect to the blanks, the neck portion 32 can be adapted for connection with locking elements. The illustrated neck portion 32 is characterized by the presence of a thread 40, which secures the cork to the container. Optionally, the wall of the container 37 can suppress, preferably substantially prevent, the migration of gas (eg, CO ₂ ) through the wall of the container 37. In some embodiments, the container 37 contains substantially closed bubbles of foam that can prevent the migration of fluid through the foam.

[0118] The blowing operation is usually limited to the body part 34 of the workpiece, the neck portion 32 of which, with all the thread, the protective ring and / or the supporting ring, retains the original configuration of the workpiece. However, under tension, any part (s) of the preform 30 can be blown. The container 37 can also be formed by other methods, such as an extrusion method or a combination of methods (eg, injection onto an extruded part). For example, the container 37 may be formed by extrusion blow molding. Thus, the container described herein can be obtained from blanks, extrusion profiles, etc.

[0119] A cross section of one type of multilayer blank 50 having features in accordance with a preferred embodiment is depicted in FIG. The preform 50 includes, preferably, an uncoated (single layer) preform 39, coated with an outer layer 52. Preferably, the uncoated preform 39 contains a polymeric material, such as polypropylene, polyester and / or other thermoplastic materials, suitable, preferably, for contact with food. In one embodiment, for example, the uncoated preform 39 contains mainly polypropylene, in another embodiment, the uncoated preform 39 contains mainly polyester, such as PET.

[0120] The multilayer preform 50 has a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34 similar to the preform 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer layer 52 is located around the portion of at least the body portion 34. In one embodiment, the outer layer 52 is located around the main part, preferably the entire part, the surface of the body part 34 of the inner layer (shown as blank 39 in FIG. 1) ending at the bottom of the support ring 38. The outer layer 52 in the illustrated embodiment does not reach the neck portion 32 and is not present on the inner by erhnosti inner layer 39 made preferably of a material suitable for contact with the contents of the resulting container. The outer layer 52 may contain either a single material or several layers (for example, microlayers) of one or more materials. Further, the outer layer 52 may be substantially homogeneous, substantially heterogeneous, or in some way intermediate. Although not shown, the outer layer 52 may form other parts of the preform 50. For example, the outer layer 52 may form part of at least the inner surface of the preform 50 (such as when the outer layer is injected onto a tube or profile open at both ends) or part of the neck portion 32. The outer layer 52 may or may not be suitable for contact with food.

[0121] The total thickness 56 of the preform is equal to the thickness of the original uncovered preform 39 (ie, the inner layer 54) plus the thickness 58 of the outer layer 52; it depends on the overall size and the desired coating thickness of the resulting container. However, the preform 50 may have any thickness depending on the desired thermal, optical, barrier, and / or structural properties of the container obtained from the preform 50. When a bonding layer is added, the total thickness will include the thickness of the bonding layer. Billets and containers may contain layers having a wide variety of relative thicknesses. In view of the present description, the thickness of a given layer and the entire preform or container both at a given point and throughout the container can be selected taking into account the manufacturing method or the specific purpose of the container. In the depicted embodiment, the outer layer 52 has a substantially uniform thickness. However, the outer layer 52 and / or the inner layer 54 need not be uniform; they can have, for example, a thickness that varies along the longitudinal axis of the workpiece 50.

[0122] To obtain containers, you can use multilayer blanks. For example, to obtain a container 180 (FIG. 6), a blank 50 can be used. In one embodiment, the outer layer 52 interacts with the inner layer 54 to form a layer or space 85 between them, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Layer 85 allows air to pass between the layers 52, 54 and can further successfully isolate the container 83. Passages can be formed between the layer 52 freely surrounding the inner layer 54. Alternatively, the outer layer 52 may be sized and configured to comfortably hold the inner layer 54 so that the inner surface of the layer 52 is in contact with the outer surface of the layer 54. In some embodiments, the layer 85 may be a foam layer, similar or not similar to one or more of layers 52, 54. In another embodiment, the layer 85 may be a layer that ties the layer 52 to the inner layer 54. For example, the layer 85 may be a bonding or bonding layer that prevents, preferably, substantially prevents relative movement between layers 52, 54. For example, layer 85 may be an adhesive layer restricting relative movement between layers 52, 54. It will be understood that some or none of the layers of the embodiments described herein may be bonded to a bonding layer or the like.

[0123] In one embodiment, at least one of the layers 52, 54 may be treated to facilitate or reduce the bonding of the layers 52, 54. For example, the outer surface of the inner layer 54 may be chemically treated so that the outer layer 52 is bonded to inner layer 54. For example, a binder material can be used for the reaction and chemical treatment of one or more of the layers 52, 54. However, it should be understood that any of the layers can be modified to achieve the desired interaction between the layers of the preform. Optionally, layers 52, 54 can be directly glued together.

[0124] In some embodiments, the container comprises a foam material having preferably insulating properties to suppress heat transfer through the walls of the container. When liquid is in the container, for example, such as the container 83 of FIG. 6, the foam material forming the wall 84 of the container 83 can reduce heat transfer between the liquid contents and the environment surrounding the container 83. For example, the container 83 may have chilled contents, such as a carbonated drink, and the foam insulates the container 83, preventing the temperature of the chilled liquid from changing. In this case, the contents may remain chilled for a desired time regardless of the external ambient temperature higher than the temperature of the liquid. Alternatively, a heated material, such as a hot drink, may be contained in the container 83, and the wall 84 may insulate the container 83, preventing heat transfer from the liquid to the surrounding container 83 environment. Further, due to the foam material of the container 83, the surface temperature of the container 83 remains within the desired temperature range, so that the user can comfortably touch the container 83 containing a heated or cooled liquid. The thickness of the foam layer and the size and configuration of the foam portion of the container may vary to obtain the desired thermal properties of the container.

[0125] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a preferred embodiment of the multilayer preform 60. One of the differences between the coated preform 60 and the preform 50 in FIG. 5 is the relative thickness of the two layers in the bottom region. In the preform 50, the outer layer 52 is usually thinner than the thickness of the original preform over the entire body of the preform. However, in the blank 60, the outer layer 52 is thicker 62 by 62 near the bottom 42 than by 64 in the wall portion 66 and, conversely, the thickness of the inner layer 54 is greater by 68 in the wall portion 66 than by 70 in the region of the bottom 42. This blank is particularly convenient if the outer coating is applied to the initial preform during the reforming process in the manufacture of the multilayer preform, as described below, when this represents certain advantages, including reducing the molding cycle time. Each layer may be uniform or may contain a number of microlayers. In other variants of the blank 60 not shown here, the outer layer 52 is thinner by 62 near the bottom 42 than by 64 in the wall portion 66, and conversely, the thickness of the inner layer 54 is less by 68 in the wall portion 66 than by 70 in the bottom region 42. One of at least the layers 52, 54 may optionally comprise a barrier material.

[0126] FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a preform wall section showing the composition of layers in a LIM re-injected embodiment. Layer 54 is the inner layer of the preform, and layer 52 is the outer layer of the preform. The outer layer 52 contains a number of microlayers (i.e., is a laminate) of the material obtained using the LDV1 system. Of course, not all blanks of Fig. 8 will be of this type.

[0127] Figure 9 shows a cross section of another embodiment of a multilayer preform. The main difference between the coated preform 76 and the preforms 50 and 60, respectively, of FIGS. 5 and 8, is that the outer layer 52 is present on the neck portion 32 as well as on the body portion 34.

[0128] Preforms and containers may have layers characterized by a wide variety of relative thicknesses. Given the present description, the thickness of this layer and the entire preform or container both at a given point and throughout the container can be selected taking into account the coating method or the specific purpose of the container. Further, as discussed above with respect to the layer (s) of FIG. 8, the layers in the preform and container of the embodiment described herein may contain a single material, more than one material, or several materials.

[0129] The devices and methods described herein can also be used to produce blanks with three or more layers. Figure 10 shows a three-layer version of the workpiece 132. The workpiece shown here has two coating layers - the middle layer 134 and the outer layer 136. The relative thickness of the layers shown in Figure 10 can be varied in accordance with a specific combination of materials or providing different sizes bottles. A knowledgeable person will understand that it is possible to follow the procedure described here even with the original billet already coated with the methods for producing coated billets described here, including re-molding.

[0130] Figure 11 shows a cross section of one type of multilayer blank 160 having features corresponding to a preferred embodiment. The blank 169 preferably contains an outer layer 162 and an inner layer 164.

[0131] The multilayer preform 160 has a neck portion 132 and a body portion 134 similar to the preforms described above. Preferably, the outer layer 162 forms the outer surface 165 of the body portion 134 and the outer surface 166 of the neck portion 132. The outer surface 166 can be fastened to the locking element. The outer layer 162 is located around the main part, preferably the entire part of the inner layer 164.

[0132] The depicted outer layer 162 extends from the upper end 168 of the inner layer 164 to the hole 169 of the workpiece 160. The inner layer 164 in the depicted embodiment does not extend along the neck portion 132. Thus, the outer layer 162 forms almost the entire neck portion 132, as shown figure 11. In other embodiments, the upper end 168 of the inner layer 164 may be at some point along the neck portion 132. Thus, the inner layer 164 and the outer layer 162 together define the neck portion. In one non-limiting embodiment, the outer layer 162 includes about at least 70% by weight of the neck portion (or end of the neck) of the neck portion 132. In another, non-limiting embodiment, the outer layer 162 includes about at least 50 % by weight of the neck portion 132. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the outer layer 162 includes about more than 30% by weight of the neck portion 132.

[0133] The total thickness 171 of the workpiece 160 is equal to the thickness 172 of the outer layer 162 plus the thickness 174 of the inner layer 164; it depends on the total size of the container received. In one embodiment, the thickness 172 of the outer layer 162 is substantially greater than the thickness 174 of the inner layer 164. The outer layer 162 and the inner layer 164, as shown, have a substantially uniform thickness. However, the outer layer 162 and the inner layer 164 may not have a uniform thickness. For example, one or both layers 162, 164 may have thicknesses varying along the length of the workpiece 160.

[0134] The outer layer 162 contains the first material, and the inner layer 164 preferably contains another material. For example, the outer layer 162 may contain foam material, and the inner layer 164 may contain non-foamed polymeric material such as PET (e.g., natural or used / regenerated PET), phenoxy, etc. Preferably, the main part of the outer layer 162 contains the first material, and the main part of the inner layer 164 contains the second material. The first and second materials may be similar or different from one another.

[0135] Figure 12 shows a cross-section of a multilayer preform 180. The preform 180 is mostly similar to the preform 160 and therefore many aspects of the preform 180 will not be described in detail. The blank 180 has an inner layer 184 and an outer layer 183. The inner layer 184 defines the main part of the inner surface 173 of the workpiece 180. The inner layer 184 has an end 188 near the opening 191 of the workpiece 180. In the depicted embodiment, the outer layer 183 defines the outer surface 186 of the neck portion 132, and the inner layer 184 defines the inner surface 187 of the neck portion 132. Of course, the outer layer 183 can be made with the possibility of connection with the locking element. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface 186 has a thread 189 adapted to be connected to a threaded cap (e.g., a threaded cap).

[0136] Although not shown, blanks 160 and 180 may have more than two layers. For example, the outer layer 162 of the workpiece 160 may contain a number of layers, including one or more of the following: layered material, foam material, PP, PET and / or the like. Similarly, the inner layer 164 may contain a number of layers. A person with ordinary knowledge in this field can determine the size and number of layers forming the blank described herein. Layers 183, 194 can be obtained from similar or different materials, as described above layers 162, 164.

[0137] Optionally, the layer may cover part of at least the preform, preventing erosion or wear, especially if part of at least the preform is made of foam material. For example, the coating material may surround the threaded neck portion of the foam and may contain PET, PP, combinations thereof, or other thermoplastic materials.

[0138] FIG. 13 shows a cross section of the workpiece 190. The workpiece 190 is similar to the workpiece 180 shown in FIG. 12, except that it is described in more detail below.

[0139] The preform 190 has an inner layer 194 extending downward from the hole 191 and defining the interior of the preform. The inner layer 194 has a flange 193. The term “flange” as used herein is a broad term, used in accordance with its usual meaning and may include, without limitation, one or more of the following: edge, elongated part, rim, protruding edge, protruding part and their combinations. The flange can play the role of a locking structure. In addition, the workpiece may optionally have a number of flanges.

[0140] The flange 193 defines a portion of the inner surface 201 and a portion of at least the upper surface 195 of the workpiece. The flange 193 may have a constant or varying thickness F depending on the desired properties of the neck portion 132. In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment, the flange 193 is located above the structure (s) (for example, thread 192) for connection with the locking element. In some embodiments, the flange 193 defines a part of one or more cuts, protruding parts, recesses and / or other structures for connection with a locking element.

[0141] Continuing to refer to FIG. 13, it can be seen that the flange 193 occupies almost at least part of the periphery of the hole 191 and defines a layer of material. The flange 193 extends, preferably, along the entire periphery of the hole 191. Thus, the flange 193 can be essentially an annular flange. When the locking element is bonded to the neck portion 132 of the container obtained from the preform 190, the upper surface 195 of the flange 193 may form a seal with the locking element, preventing or preventing food from escaping from the container. Flange 193 may prevent or prevent the separation of the inner layer 194 and the outer layer 199.

[0142] One or more connecting structures 197 of Fig. 13 may interfere with the relative movement of the inner layer 194 and the outer layer 199. As used herein, the term "connecting structure" is a broad term, used in accordance with its usual meaning, and may include, without limitation, one or several of the following values: protrusions, machined surfaces (for example, a roughened surface), forks, prominences, teeth, flanges, recesses, protrusions, textured patterns and the like, preferably to prevent or reducing the movement of layers 194 and 199. The connecting structure 197 may be formed by the inner layer 194 and / or the outer layer 199. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting structure 197 is a protrusion extending from and around the outer surface of the inner layer 194. In some embodiments, the connecting structure 197 is an annular protrusion located circumferentially on the outer surface of the inner layer 194. The connecting structure 197 may be a continuous or discontinuous structure. The inner layer 194 may have one or more connecting structures, such as textured patterns (e.g., a series of grooves, prominences, and the like).

[0143] In addition, the connecting structure 197 may be configured to provide a positive or negative shift. For example, the inner layer 194 may contain some resilient material (e.g., PET), and the locking structure 197 may provide a positive shift when the mold is removed. In some embodiments, outer layer 199 contains some hard material (e.g., olefins) that provides positive or negative shear when the mold is removed.

[0144] The outer layer 199 is configured to receive a locking structure 197. The locking structure 197 effectively fastens the outer layer 199 to the inner layer 194. Although not shown, a number of locking structures 197 can be defined by layers 194, 199 and can be located inside the neck portions 132 and / or the body portion 134 of the workpiece 190. In some embodiments, a bonding layer may be used to connect the inner layer 194 to the outer layer 199. In one embodiment, the inner layer 194 and the outer layer 199 are formed from materials directly but bonded or glued to one another. In other embodiments, the inner layer 194 is bonded to the outer layer 199 so that the layers 194 and 199 can be easily separated by, for example, a recycling process. However, in some embodiments, an article containing related layers may be disposed of.

[0145] The upper end of the outer layer 199 is separated from the upper surface 195 of the workpiece. An expert skilled in the art can choose the thickness of the layers 194, 199 to achieve the desired structural properties, thermal properties, wear resistance and / or other properties of the workpiece.

[0146] FIGS. 13A and 13B show a modified embodiment of a portion of the workpiece 190 of FIG. 13. The blank 190 of FIG. 13A has a flange 193 along a portion of the upper surface 195 of the blank. In some non-limiting embodiments, the length LF of the flange 193 is less than about 95% of the wall thickness T of the neck portion 132. In one non-limiting embodiment, the length LF of the flange 193 is from about 50 to 90% of the wall thickness T of the neck portion. In some non-limiting embodiments, the length LF of the flange 193 is about 60, 70, 75, or 80%, or at intervals limited to these wall thicknesses T of the neck portion. In another, non-limiting embodiment, the length LF of the flange 193 is from about 40 to 60% of the wall thickness T of the neck portion. In yet another embodiment, the length LF of the flange 193 is less than about 40% of the wall thickness T of the neck portion.

[0147] FIG. 13B shows a portion of a preform having an outer layer 203 with a flange 223. The flange 223 is located inside and has an inner surface 225. The flange 223 may define or be separated from the inner surface of the preform. The flange 223 may have a length equal to or different from the length of the flange 193. The neck portion 132 is threaded for connection with a locking element. However, the neck portion may have other structures (e.g., recesses, ridges, grooves, etc.) for connecting to the locking element. The preform described above can be modified by adding one or more layers to obtain the desired properties. For example, a barrier layer may be formed on the body of the preforms.

[0148] Figure 14 shows a modified embodiment of the preform 202. The preform 202 has a neck portion 132 having a connecting structure 207 configured to connect to a locking member. As used herein, the term “connective structure” is a broad term, used in accordance with its usual meaning, and may include, without limitation, a feature, such as a positive feature (eg, protrusion, prominence, etc.) or a negative feature (eg, notch deepening, etc.). The connecting structure can be made with the possibility of connection with the locking element to hold it in the desired position.

[0149] The connection structure 207 shown is in the form of a recess adapted to receive a portion of the locking device. The connecting structure 207 may extend near one or more parts of the workpiece 202. In other embodiments, the connecting structure 207 extends around the entire periphery or circumference of the workpiece 202. The connecting structure 207 may be curved (for example, in the form of a semicircle) v-shaped, u-shaped, or another different section profile. Although not shown, the structure 207 may be protruding, such as protruding along a ring defined by the outer layer 203. Optionally, the preform 202 may have several connecting structures 207 so that locking elements of different configurations can be connected to the container obtained from the preform. The distance between the upper surface 205 and the structures 207, as well as the shape of the structure 207 are determined by the geometry of the locking element used to close the container obtained from the workpiece 202.

[0150] FIG. 14A shows a container 211 obtained from the blank 202 of FIG. 14. A locking element 213 is connected to the neck portion 132 of the container 111. The locking element 213 may consist of one piece or several pieces. The locking element 213 may be temporarily or permanently bonded to the container 211. The entire locking element 213 may be removed from the container 211 when fluid is consumed. In other embodiments, part of the locking element 213 may be removed, while the rest of the locking element 213 remains attached to the container 211 during consumption. The locking element 213 may be semi-permanently or permanently bonded to the container. If the locking element 213 is semi-permanently bonded to the container 211, the locking element 213 may be drawn away from the container 211. In one embodiment, if the locking element 213 is permanently attached to the container 211, the locking element 213 and the container 211 may form a single, generally body.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 14B, the upper surface 205 of the preform and the closure 213 may form a seal 231, preferably a hermetic seal, or another seal that prevents or prevents fluid from flowing between the container 211 and the closure 213. Optionally, the container 211 may have a gasket or removable seal. For example, the container 211 may have a removable seal, such as a membrane, adhered to the upper edge of the container or to a portion of the closure member 213 that can be removed. The removable seal may have a tab or ring for conveniently gripping and removing the seal. Alternatively, the seal 231 may be formed by a membrane or sheet that can be broken or torn to pieces when opening the container 211. In some embodiments, the outer layer 203 of the container 211 is typically formed of high strength material or hard material (e.g., PP), so that the flange 209 can be sandwiched between the locking element 213 and the outer layer 203, while maintaining the integrity of the seal 231.

[0152] As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the closure member 213 has a housing 215 and a cover 218. The housing 215 may be connected to the cover 218 by a loop 221 (for example, of a molded material acting as a free loop or other movement pattern) ) The latch or shank 217 (Fig. 14A) can fasten the lid 218 to the housing 215. The latch 217 can be moved to release the lid 218 to open the locking element 213. Alternatively, the lid 218 and the housing 215 can be separate parts, so that the lid 218 can remove from the housing 215. When the locking element 213 is in the open position, the contents of the container 211 can be let out, producing release, preferably when the housing 215 remains attached to the end of the neck. After the desired amount of food has been released from the container 211, the lid 218 can be returned to its closed position by resealing the container.

[0153] The housing 215 of the locking element 213 may be associated with the possibility of release with the neck portion. For example, the housing 215 may be crimped onto the neck portion 132. Alternatively, the housing 215 may be permanently connected to the neck portion 132. The neck portion 132 includes one or more locking attachment structures 227, so that the locking element 213 may be crimped onto and in the container. The neck portion 132 in the depicted embodiment has a locking fastening structure 227 in the form of a negative feature, such as a recess or recess. The housing 215 may be permanently bonded to the outer layer 203 by a welding or melting method (e.g., induction welding), bonding, friction interaction and / or the like. The container 211 may be configured to have various types of locking elements, such as BAP® locking elements manufactured by Varso Closures Limited (England) (or similar locking elements), threaded caps, push-button closures, and / or the like. An expert in the art can imagine the end of the neck of the container 211, suitable for connection with containers of various configurations.

[0154] Continuing to refer to Figa, we see the container 211, especially well suited for use with hot filling. Typically, the container 211 can maintain its shape during hot filling. After blowing or hot filling, the final dimensions of the neck portion of the container 211 are preferably substantially identical to the initial dimensions of the preform. In addition, this leads to a decrease in the size changes of the thread at the end of the neck. For example, the inner layer 284 may be formed from a material suitable for contact with food products, such as PET. Outer layer 203 may include moldable materials (e.g., PP, foam, crystalline or semi-crystalline material, laminate, homopolymers, copolymers, combinations thereof, and other heat-resistant materials described herein) suitable for hot filling. The outer layer 203 ensures the dimensional stability of the neck portion 132 even during and / or after hot filling. The width of the outer layer 203 may increase or decrease to increase or decrease, respectively, the dimensional stability of the neck portion 132. Preferably, one of the layers forming the neck portion 132 includes a material having high heat resistance, however the neck portion 132 may also be made of materials having a low heat resistance, especially for non-hot filling.

[0155] Furthermore, the dimensional stability of the outer layer 203 ensures that the closure member 213 remains bonded to the container 211. For example, the outer layer 203 may include high strength material (eg, PP) and may retain its shape, thereby preventing unintentional detachment the locking element 213 from the container 211.

[0156] Turning to FIG. 14C, we see a container having a neck portion containing a lockable attachment structure for installing a button. The neck portion in the illustrated embodiment has a locking fastening structure 227 in the form of a positive feature, such as a protrusion, flange or the like, suitable for connecting the locking element 213. The locking fastening structure 227 may have an annular protrusion extending circumferentially around the neck portion. The design of the locking element 213 may consist of one element or several elements. The container 211 shown here has an upwardly conical wall forming the end of the neck. The conical part of the end of the neck can reach the locking element 213, forming a seal.

[0157] FIG. 15A shows a portion of a preform 220 made in accordance with another embodiment. The blank 220 has a support ring 222 and a body portion 224 extending downward from it. The workpiece 220 has an opening 226 at its upper end. The end of the neck of the workpiece may or may not have a thread. In some embodiments, a thread is provided on the neck region 225 of the workpiece. It is understood that the preform 220 can be formed without a support ring. The support ring and / or thread may optionally be formed on the workpiece 220 during subsequent processing.

[0158] FIG. 15B shows the preform 220 after being fastened to the neck region 225 of a locking fastener structure 228. It is understood that threads, structures holding the button on the head, or other types of mounting or fastening structures can be connected to the neck region 225 before or after forming the preform 220 per container. For example, the locking attachment structures 228 may be connected to the preform 220 after the preform has been formed, preferably blown, into a container.

[0159] The blanks may have other parts bonded or connected to one another. On Figs shows the workpiece 234, having a part of at least the end of the neck 240, connected with the housing 242 of the workpiece. The workpiece 234 shown here has a part 238 associated with the upper end 250 of the lower part 252 of the workpiece 234. Part 238 may contain materials and / or microstructures other than those of the lower part 252. In some embodiments, part 238 contains crystalline material. Thus, the workpiece 230 may be suitable for use with hot filling. The lower portion 252 may be amorphous to facilitate blowing. In some embodiments, the upper portion 238 comprises a material different from the material of the lower portion 252. A skilled person can select the material forming the preform. In some embodiments, the upper end 250 is located below or with a support ring. The blanks shown in FIGS. 15A-15C may have single or multi-layer walls.

[0160] The preforms, including the single layer and multilayer preforms described above, may have other shapes and configurations. FIG. 16 shows a preform 270 having a tapered body portion 272 and a neck end 274. The preform 270 may be blown into a container in the form of a can, for example. A can or other similar container may have a neck or mouth wider than the opening of the bottle. The blank 270 has a support ring 278 and one or more locking fastening structures 279, preferably configured to interact with a button of the locking element or with another type of locking element. On Fig shows a variant of the workpiece with the end of the neck without thread. The preform 280 comprises a body portion 281 having an end cap 283 and an end of the neck 282. The preform 280 may be suitable for blowing into a container. The blanks shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 may be single-layer or multi-layer blanks (for example, having the layers described above). The preforms described above may be formed without the end of the neck.

[0161] Preforms, such as those depicted in FIGS. 1-18, may undergo a voltage blowing process. The blowing process is described mainly for single-layer preform 30, although multilayer preforms (e.g., preforms 50, 60, 76, 80, 132, 160, 180, 290 and 216) can be obtained in a similar manner. The container described above can be obtained by various blowing methods (including extrusion blowing), for example.

2. Detailed description of the locking elements

[0162] As described above, locking elements may be used to seal containers. The term “closure element” as used herein is a broad term used in accordance with its usual meaning and may include, but is not limited to, a cap (including a button cap, a hinged cap, a bottle cap, a threaded bottle cap, a leakproof cap), a crown shutter element, cork (natural or artificial), punctured seal, lid (e.g. cup lid), multi-element locking element (e.g. locking elements manufactured under the VAR® trademark by Vars About Closures Limited (England), or similar locking elements), push-button locking elements and / or the like.

[0163] Basically, the locking elements may have one or more features that provide further benefits. Some locking elements may have one or more of the following symptoms: a sign of a breakdown certificate, a sign of breakage resistance, a sealing amplifier, a storage compartment, engaging structures that facilitate removal and return of the locking element, a sign that prevents spillage, and combinations thereof.

[0164] The locking elements may have a structure of one element or of several elements. They can be made with the possibility of permanent or temporary connection with the container. For example, the locking element shown in Fig. 14A has a multi-element structure. The locking element shown in Fig. 18 has a single element design. The terms “locking element” and “cover” are used interchangeably herein. It is understood that locking elements can be used with bottles, boxes (especially with boxes used for food products (such as juices, for example)), boxes and other packages or products. As used herein, the term “bottle cap” is used in accordance with its usual meaning and may include, without limitation, a cap suitable for closing a bottle, such as a glass or plastic bottle (for example, a bottle typically configured to contain alcoholic beverages or juices), and which may or may not have a thread. Bottle caps are usually removed using an opening device known in the art. The term “threaded bottle cap” is a broad term used in accordance with its usual meaning and may include, without limitation, a cap (eg, a screw cap) suitable for connection to a bottle having a thread. In accordance with the present description, variants of locking elements having a thread can be modified to form bottle caps or other types of locking elements for containers of various configurations. In some embodiments, the locking elements may be screwed onto the container or bonded to the container in various ways, such as acoustic welding, induction welding, multi-stage molding, gluing, thermal molding, and the like.

[0165] FIG. 18 shows one embodiment of a closure member 302 that can be coupled to an article, such as the neck of a container. In the depicted embodiment, the locking element 302 has an internal thread 306 (FIG. 19) corresponding to the thread of the neck portion, so that the locking element 302 can be removably connected to the container. The locking element 302 may be attached to a container (eg, a bottle), closing the opening or mouth of the bottle. The locking element 302 has a main body 310 and an optional defect detection structure, or an anti-defective structure such as a tape 313 (or skirt) connected to the body 310 by one or more connectors 312. The connectors 312 can be sized and adapted so that when the locking the element 302 is removed from the container, the connectors 312 are destroyed, separating the housing 310 and the tape 313, indicating that the locking element 302 is separated from the corresponding container. Although not shown, other types of defect detection structures may be used. The surface 306 of the housing 310 may be surface-treated, for example, with grooves, protrusions, structural processing and / or the like to facilitate frictional interaction with the locking element 302.

[0166] The locking element 302 of FIG. 19 comprises a housing 310 and may or may not have a liner. The locking element 302 shown here optionally includes an inner locking layer 314. The illustrated inner locking layer 314 is in the form of a liner located inside the outer part 311 of the housing 310. The liner 314 may be adapted to come in contact with food or liquids and may be sealed with an edge forming bottle hole. Thus, the insert 314 forms a substantial part of the entire contact area of the locking element 302.

[0167] Liner 314 may be a barrier liner, such as an active or passive barrier liner. Liner 314 may function as a barrier to a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas), a barrier to odors, and combinations thereof. For example, liner 314 may be a gas barrier that prevents or prevents oxygen, carbon dioxide, and the like from passing through it. In some embodiments, liner 314 may have a cleaning ability, such as gas purification (e.g., oxygen purification).

[0168] The liner 314 may be molded into the edge of the bottle to prevent fluid from leaking from the container sealed by the closure 302. In one embodiment, the liner 314 is a gas barrier to prevent or prevent gas from escaping from the container. In another embodiment, liner 314 is an odor barrier that prevents or restricts a change in the taste of the fluid in the container. For example, liner 314 may be formed from a polymer (e.g., from a thermoplastic material) that serves as a barrier to odor, while preserving the desired taste of the food in the container. Thus, the insert 314 helps to ensure that the housing 310 does not transmit the smell and / or taste of the food products in the container.

[0169] Certain odor-transmitting materials and / or odor-reducing or odor-removing materials (eg, polyolefins, such as polypropylene or polyethylene) have long been used to produce containers or closures, such as bottle caps, due to their physical properties (eg, durability, strength, impact resistance and / or strength). In some embodiments, the polyethylene may exhibit one or more physical properties that are preferred over the physical properties of polymers such as PET. Unfortunately, in some circumstances, polypropylene tends to reduce or eliminate the smell of the contents of the bottle or to remove the desired odors or aromatic components from the contents. At the same time, a person who previously consumed food in contact with PP is able to recognize a change in taste. It is fortunate that the insert 314 may contain an odor-preserving material, so that food products are generally not affected by their contact with the insert 314. Preferably, the odor-preserving material is a PLA approved food contact material.

[0170] In some non-limiting embodiments, the odor-preserving material includes PET (such as natural PET), phenoxy-type thermoplastic and / or the like. The housing 310 may therefore be made of an odor-free material, such as polypropylene, to provide the desired physical properties, and the insert 314 may contain PET as an effective odor barrier, ensuring that the contents of the container maintain the desired taste. It is understood that liner 314 may be formed from any material suitable for contact with food in a container. In some embodiments, liners 314 may be formed from the foam material described herein, which may or may not substantially alter the taste of the contents of the container. In addition, it is possible to increase the thickness of the liner 314 to prevent the passage of gas or other fluid through it. Optionally, liner 314 may have a single layer or multilayer structure. For example, insert 314 may comprise an inner layer of PET (i.e., a layer in contact with the contents of the container) and an outer layer of foam material.

[0171] The liner 314 may have a layer suitable for contact with food products and one or more layers acting as a barrier, as in the blanks described herein. In some embodiments, for example, liner 314 may comprise a first layer and a second layer, the first layer containing foam material and the second layer containing barrier material. In this case, the second layer can reduce or prevent the migration of fluid through the insert 314, and the first layer isolates the locking element 302.

[0172] In some embodiments, the liner 314 of FIG. 19 may be formed in advance and placed in the housing 310. For example, the housing 310 may have a shape similar to a typical screw head used to seal bottles. Insert 314 is obtained by cutting off a portion of the sheet described below. The pre-cut liner 314 may then be placed in the housing 310 and positioned as shown in FIG. 19. Alternatively, liner 314 may be formed within housing 310. For example, liner 314 may be formed by a molding method, such as molding.

[0173] Other advantages are optionally shown when the insert 314 is located in the housing 310 or is attached to the container. The insert 314 may be attached to the housing 310, so that the insert 314 remains attached to the housing 310 after this housing is separated from the container. Alternatively, the insert 314 may be attached to the container, so that the housing 310 and the insert can be separated. For example, insert 314 may be moved in housing 310 to a container opening by a molding method, such as induction molding.

[0174] Other advantages are optionally shown when a portion of at least the locking element 302 is formed of a material that provides a comfortable touch to the surface, so that the user can comfortably hold the locking element 302. The housing 310 may contain material of sufficient rigidity (for example, PP) compressibility for comfortable retention (e.g. foam material) and / or the like. In some embodiments, the outer part 311 of the housing 310 may contain foam material to increase the space occupied by the outer part 311 and may give the user a greater opportunity to easily open and close the locking element 302. For example, the locking element 302 may have an internal threaded surface adapted to be screwed having an external thread on the surface of the container. The enlarged outer portion 311 provides an increase in the ability for the user to easily rotate the closure member by screwing it onto and screwing off the container. The good thing is that to obtain a locking element with an increased diameter, a similar or the same amount of material is required.

[0175] In some embodiments, a portion of at least portions 311 and liner 314 may be formed of foam material to provide a very lightweight locking element due to the low density of the foam material. Reducing the weight of the locking element 302 leads to a desirable reduction in the cost of transporting the locking element 302. In addition, the foam material of the locking element 302 can reduce the amount of material used to obtain the locking element, since the foam material can have a significant amount of voids.

[0176] The locking element described below may be similar or different from the locking element shown in Fig. 19. The locking member 330 of FIG. 20 has a housing 331 comprising an inner portion 332 and an outer portion 334. The wall 335 shown here comprises portions 332, 334. The inner portion 332 may define a portion of at least the internal space of the locking member 330 and optionally may have one or several threads 336. On Figa-21E presents non-limiting options for locking elements. 21A, a locking member 340 is shown having an outer portion 342 and an inner portion 344 defining a portion of at least the inner space of the locking member 340. That is, the outer portion 342 and the inner portion 344 may each define a portion (eg, thread) of the inner the surface of the locking element 340. The inner part 344 is set inside the outer part 342; however, in other embodiments, the inner portion 344 is not positioned inside the outer portion 342. FIG. 21B shows a locking member 350 having an inner portion 354 containing a series of layers 356, 358. FIG. 21C shows a locking member 360 having a series of layers. The outer layer 362 forms the outer surface (including the top and walls) of the locking element 360. The intermediate layer 364 may have one or more layers. The inner layer 366 has a threaded contact surface 368.

[0177] The locking elements may have parts or layers with varying thicknesses. As shown in Fig.21D, one of at least one of the parts or layers of the locking element 370 has a thickened part. The illustrated locking element 370 has an inner portion 374 with an upper thickened portion 372 having a thickness greater than the thickness of the wall portion 376.

[0178] FIG. 21E shows a multi-layer locking element 380 having a tape 382 connected to the inner part 383 of the locking element 380 by one or more connectors 384. The locking elements shown in FIGS. 18-21E may have any suitable structure (s) or structure to connect with containers. For example, the locking elements of Figs. 18-21E may have a similar configuration with the locking element 213 (Fig. 14A). It is understood that the locking elements described herein Figs. 18-21E can be connected to containers by threaded connections, welding or melting methods (e.g., induction welding), gluing, friction interaction or the like. The locking elements Figs. 18-21E are shown with tapes. However, the locking elements may not have tapes, or they may have other indicators or structures to prevent damage. Although the locking elements of FIGS. 18-21E are shown as screw structures, other types of locking elements (for example, locking elements of many parts, such as locking elements with an opening and closing lid, locking elements with a nipple and the like) have similar designs.

[0179] The locking elements may have one or more storage compartments. The compartments may contain additives added to the contents of the respective container. Additives may affect the characteristics of the contents of the container; they may be in a solid, gaseous and / or liquid state. In some embodiments, additives may affect one or more of the following properties: aroma (for example, additives may contain smelling gases / liquids), taste, color (for example, additives may contain coloring agents, pigments, etc.), nutritional content (for example, supplements may contain vitamins, proteins, hydrocarbons, etc.) and combinations thereof. From the locking elements, additives can enter the contents of the container for subsequent dissolution and, preferably, increasing the attractiveness of the contents and the experience of consumption. The separation may release additives when the shut-off element is removed, so that the mixture is fresh. However, the compartment may be opened before or after removal of the closure member from the container. In some embodiments, the closure element has a compartment that is destructible (e.g., punctured) after the closure element is separated from the container. A compartment may have a structure for releasing its contents. This structure may be an extensible plug, a crimped cap, or other suitable structure to release the contents of the compartment.

[0180] The containers may also be closed by a seal separate from the closure member. A seal may be attached to the container prior to attaching the closure member. A sealing method may be used to attach the seal to the end of the container neck after filling the container. The seal may be similar or different from that of which the liners are attached to the locking elements. Seals may be hermetic seals (preferably spill-resistant) to ensure the integrity of the contents of the container. In some embodiments, the seal may comprise a foil (preferably metal, such as aluminum foil); it is attached to the container by welding, such as induction welding. However, the seal may be bonded to the container using other suitable bonding methods, for example, adhesive may be used.

[0181] The locking elements may have an inner surface suitable for retaining the mounting structures of the locking elements (eg, threads, button cup devices and the like). The inner surface may be smooth enough to facilitate removal of the closure member from the container. For example, the locking elements may contain a smooth or low friction material (for example, olefin polymers) for bonding with the material forming the container. If the closure is formed of PET, for example, the closure can fasten or close the PET container. Thus, the locking element (including button caps, screw caps, and the like) may require a relatively high force to remove. Advantageously, the closure element with a smooth or low friction material can reduce the removal force, facilitating the removal of the closure element. A smooth or low friction material preferably provides sufficient friction so that the closure element can remain connected to the corresponding container, while at the same time providing convenient removal of the closure element. Thus, a smooth or low friction material can be selected to achieve the desired removal force.

[0182] The closure member 330 shown in FIG. 20 has an inner portion 332 containing a smooth or low friction material (eg, an olefin or other material having a low coefficient of friction) and an outer portion 334 containing a polymer, such as an olefin polymer, foam material, PET, and other materials described herein. The closure element described herein, comprising a smooth or low friction material, can dock with the container and provide the desired removal force. A smooth or low friction material forming a closure member may be selected taking into account the material forming the container to provide the desired friction interaction. It is understood that the forms described herein can be modified with an angular passage, with the formation of the inner layer of the locking element for fastening to the container.

3. Detailed description of single-layer and multi-layer profiles and sheets

[0183] Figs. 22A and 22B show sectional views of sheets. The sheets have, in general, a uniform thickness or a variable thickness. The sheet in Fig. 22A is a single layer sheet 389. The sheet in Fig. 22B is a multilayer sheet 390 having two layers. Sheets can have any number of layers of any desired thickness, determined, for example, by the purpose of the sheets. For example, sheets 389, 390 may be used in packaging as labels. Part of at least sheets 389, 390 may contain foam material. For example, sheets 389, 390 may contain foam material that insulates the package to which the label is attached. Optionally, sheet 390 may contain one or more bonding layers. For example, sheet 390 may include a tie layer between layers 392, 394.

[0184] Sheets may have various applications and may have various shapes. For example, the sheets may be cut, molded into the desired shape (for example, by thermoforming or molding), and / or the like. An expert in the art can select the desired shape, size and / or configuration of the sheets based on the desired application.

[0185] Fig. 23 shows a multilayer profile 402. The profile 402 is in the form of a tubular conduit, generally in shape. The shape of the profile 402 can be mainly annular, ellipsoidal, polygonal (including a rounded polygon), a combination thereof, and the like. The profile depicted here has a substantially circular section.

[0186] In some embodiments, profile 402 may be a conduit adapted for transporting a fluid, preferably adapted for drinking liquids. Profile 402 may have an inner layer 404 and an outer layer 406. In some embodiments, one of at least one of the layers 404, 406 may comprise a number of layers (e.g., laminate).

[0187] Profile 402 may be a conduit containing a material suitable for contact with food products and one or more additional materials having desirable physical properties (eg, structural and thermal properties). Fortunately, the inner layer 404, which is in direct contact with the liquid medium, preferably does not substantially change the taste of the food products contained therein. For example, for a long time, the liquid transport lines of beverage distribution systems contained taste changing polyolefins. Fortunately, the inner layer 404 preferably does not substantially change the taste of the fluid passing through the lumen 408 of the profile 402. In some embodiments, the outer layer 406 can provide improved physical characteristics of the profile 402. In other embodiments, the outer layer 406 can provide improved insulating and / or structural properties of profile 402. For example, in one embodiment, the outer layer 406 may provide enhanced shock resistance. In some embodiments, the outer layer 406 can reduce heat transfer through the walls of the profile 402. In some embodiments, the outer layer 406 can have a high tensile strength so that high pressure fluid can be passed through the profile 402. Thus, the inner layer serves as a practically inert contact surface with food products, while the outer layer (or layers) is insulating and / or opposing external influences.

[0188] Of course, profile 402 can be used in various other applications. For example, profile 402 can be used in hospitals (for example, as a medical fluid delivery line), in cooking processes, in equipment, in fluid systems (for example, edible fluid distribution systems) and / or the like.

4. Detailed package description

[0189] One or more of the products described herein may be used alone or in combination in various applications, such as packaging. 24, a packaging system 416 is shown including a container 420 that can be made from the blanks described herein. With the end of the neck 432 of the container 420, a closure 422 may be connected to close the container.

[0190] FIG. 24 also shows a label 440 attached to the bottle-shaped container 420. Label 440 may be affixed to bottle 420 and may be single or multi-layer. Label 440 may optionally contain foam material.

[0191] The label 440 is preferably connected to the outer surface 442 of the container 420. The label 440 may be removably connected to the outer surface 442. Label 440 may be connected during and / or after forming container 420. In the embodiment shown here, label 440 is a tubular sleeve surrounding a portion of at least bottle 420. Label 440 may have any shape or configuration suitable for attachment to the bottle and displaying information. Although not shown, label 440 may be coupled to glass bottles, metal cans, and the like. Further, the label 440 may be affixed to other structures or packages. For example, the label 440 may be affixed to a box, box, bottle (plastic bottle, glass bottle, and the like), a can, and other objects described herein. In addition, the label may be printed. Optionally, the outer surface 446 of the label 440 may be machined to produce a printable surface.

[0192] Adhesive may be used to affix the label 440 to the product. In one embodiment, after the label is attached to the product, foam material can be inflated, providing a thermal barrier, a fluid barrier, a protective layer and / or desired structural properties. The foam material is expanded, preferably by heating the label 440. The material of the label 440 can be foamed before and / or after the label 440 is placed on the container 420. Of course, the foam material of the label 440 can be directly attached to the product without the use of glue.

[0193] FIG. 25 shows another embodiment of a container containing moldable material. The container 450 may be similar or different from the containers described above. In the embodiment shown here, the container 450 has a locking element 452, a housing 454 and a handle 456 attached to the housing 454. The housing 454 may be sufficiently rigid or resilient. The handle 456 preferably has a configuration and dimensions that provide a comfortable grip by the user. The wall of housing 454 may be a single or multi-layer wall. The container 450 may be of any shape, including a shape similar to conventional containers used for storing food liquids. The container 450 can be obtained, for example, by extrusion blow molding.

[0194] The container 460 depicted in FIG. 26A is a package (eg, food packaging) containing, preferably, foam material. In one embodiment, a sheet (e.g., sheets 389 or 390) is used to form part of at least container 460, for example, by thermoforming. The container 460 may be in the form of an elastic pouch, food container, or any other suitable structure.

[0195] For example, in one embodiment, the sheets form a hollow packaging for food products such as hamburgers. In another embodiment, the sheets form boxes (for example, pizza boxes). In another embodiment, the material and dimensions of the container 460 may be determined based on the desired structural properties, thermal properties, and / or other characteristics. For example, the container 460 may include foam material which serves to effectively insulate the container 460. In another embodiment, the container 460 may have thick walls, so that such a container 460 is sufficiently rigid.

[0196] On Figv shows another product containing moldable material. In one embodiment, article 462 is in the form of a tray configured to place food thereon. Tray 462 can be obtained from the sheet by thermoforming. Optionally, tray 462 may be adapted to fit inside a container or box.

[0197] Tray 462 may be configured to heat treat. In some embodiments, tray 462 may be used for heating and reheating. Tray 462 may contain food products that may be heated, for example, by a heat lamp, a microwave, an oven, a toaster, hot water, and the like. The microstructure of the tray 462 can be determined by the type and method of heat treatment. For example, tray 462 may contain crystalline material (e.g., crystalline PET) that improves heat resistance. During thermal formation, one or more layers of the tray can be heated above a predetermined temperature, causing crystallization of part of at least one of the layers. Thus, part of at least the tray 462 may crystallize during the manufacturing process. In some embodiments, tray 462 may comprise a single layer or multi-layer sheet. Tray 462 may have a first layer of thermoplastic material and a second layer (for example, a foam layer). The first layer may contain crystalline material (for example, amorphous, partially crystallized, or fully crystallized). Tray 462 can be used to place food in the microwave. Of course, other products, such as containers like pizza boxes, may have a similar configuration.

[0198] Products may also be in the form of a can. The can may have a polymeric material as described herein. The can may have a metal layer and one or more layers of another material. In some embodiments, a metal can (e.g., an aluminum can) may be coated with a foam material, such as a thermoplastic material. A portion of at least the outer and / or inner surface of the can may be coated with foam material.

B. Crystal ends of the neck

[0199] In some embodiments, plastic bottles and containers preferably comprise one or more materials in the neck, end of the neck and / or neck of the neck, at least partially in a crystalline state. Such bottles and blanks may have one or more layers of materials.

[0200] In some embodiments, the bottles are made by a process comprising blowing plastic blanks. In some circumstances, it is desirable that the material in the plastic preform be in an amorphous or semi-crystalline state, since materials in this state can be easily blown out, while this cannot be done with a fully crystalline material. However, bottles made entirely of amorphous or semi-crystalline material may not have sufficient dimensional stability during a standard hot filling process. In these circumstances, a bottle containing crystalline material would be preferable because it would retain its shape during hot filling.

[0201] In some embodiments, the plastic bottle has the advantages of both a crystalline bottle and an amorphous or semi-crystalline bottle. In the manufacture of a part of at least the upper end of the preform crystalline and while maintaining the preform body amorphous or semi-crystalline (sometimes referred to as “non-crystalline”), a preform can be obtained that can be easily blown out and at the same time maintain the required dimensions in the key area of the neck during hot filling. Some variants have both crystalline and amorphous or semi-crystalline regions. This gives preforms having sufficient strength for use in the widest commercial applications.

[0202] In one or more of the embodiments described herein, substantially crystalline-necked preforms are obtained which are then typically blown into beverage containers. The blanks can be single-layer, that is, contain one layer of the base material, or they can be multi-layer. The material in these layers may be the only material, or it may be a mixture of one or more materials. In one embodiment, a product is provided having a neck portion and a body portion. The neck portion and the body portion are formed by a monolithic first layer of material. The hull is mostly amorphous or semi-crystalline, and the neck is mostly crystalline.

[0203] Figure 1 shows a preferred preform 30. The preform 30 can be obtained by injection blowing, as is known in the art, or by the methods described herein. The preform 30 has a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34, which are monolithic (i.e., a single or unitary structure). It is fortunate that in some embodiments, the monolithic execution of the preform when blowing the bottle provides greater dimensional stability and improves physical properties compared to preforms made up of separate, interconnected parts of the neck and body.

[0204] Upon reaching the crystalline state of the neck portion of the preform at the molding stage, the final dimensions are substantially identical to the original dimensions, except when the additional heating steps are applied. In this way, dimensional variations are minimized and dimensional stability is achieved. This gives a more stable connection by means of a thread at the end of the neck with locking elements and reduces the wear of the molding elements.

[0205] Although non-crystalline preforms are preferred for blowing, however, bottles having a greater crystalline character due to their dimensional stability during hot filling are preferred for dimensional stability. Accordingly, preforms made in accordance with some embodiments have a substantially non-crystalline body portion and a substantially crystalline neck portion. In order to obtain mainly crystalline and mainly non-crystalline parts in the same preform, it is necessary to provide a different degree of heating and / or cooling during molding in the regions from which the crystalline parts are formed, in comparison with the regions in which the non-crystalline parts are mainly formed. Different degrees of heating and / or cooling can be provided by thermal insulation of areas having different temperatures. Such thermal insulation between the thread, the housing and / or the boundary of the cavity can be supplemented by a combination of materials with low and high thermal conductivity, as included or individual components on the connecting surfaces of these parts.

[0206] Some preferred methods supplement the preparation of preforms in the preferred time cycle of uncoated preforms of the same size by standard methods currently used in the manufacture of preforms. In addition, preferred methods enable machining and technical methods to simultaneously obtain crystalline and amorphous regions at predetermined locations of the same preform.

[0207] In one embodiment, a preform is provided comprising a neck portion having a first mold temperature control system (eg, cooling / heating channels), a housing portion having a second mold temperature control system, and a core having a third temperature control system moreover, the first temperature control system is independent of the second and third temperature control systems, and the neck part is thermally insulated from the body part and the core.

[0208] The cooling of the mold in areas in which the surface of the workpiece is formed, for which a predominantly amorphous or semi-crystalline material is preferred, may be accomplished by a cooled fluid circulating in the mold and core cavities. In some embodiments, the mold device is similar to conventionally used injection molding devices, except that there is an independent fluid network or electric heating system for the mold parts in which the crystalline mold parts are formed. Thermal insulation of the mold body, the end of the neck of the mold, and the core section can be achieved by using inclusions having low thermal conductivity. The neck, end of the neck and / or the cylindrical portions of the neck of the mold are supported, preferably at a higher temperature, for slower cooling, which helps crystallize the material during cooling.

[0209] The above options, as well as the following options and technologies for workpieces having both crystalline and amorphous or semi-crystalline regions, are described in US Pat. ., US Patent Publication No. 2003/0031814 A1 to Hutchinson et al. and PCT Publication No. WO 98/46410 Koch et al.

Detailed description of some preferred materials

1. General Description of Preferred Materials

[0210] Further, the products described herein may more specifically be described in connection with specific materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP), however, preferred methods are applicable to many other thermoplastics, including thermoplastics such as polyester and polyolefin. Alone or in conjunction with one another, other suitable materials may be used, including, but not limited to, foam materials, various polymers and thermosets, thermoplastic materials such as polyesters, polyolefins, including polypropylene and polyethylene, polycarbonates, polyamides, including nylons (e.g. , Nylon 6, Nylon 66, MXD6), polystyrenes, epoxides, acrylics, copolymers, mixtures, grafted polymers and / or modified polymers (monomers or parts thereof having other groups as side groups, for example, olefin-modified polymers liefiry). These materials can be used alone or in conjunction with one another. More specific examples of materials include, but are not limited to, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer ("EVOH"), ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA"), ethylene acrylic acid ("EAA"), linear low density polyethylene ("LLDPE"), polyethylene 2,6- and 1,5-naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), poly (cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), polystyrene, cycloolefin, copolymer, poly-4-methylpentene-1, poly (methyl methacrylate), acrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidine chloride, steren acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile butadiene steren, polyacetal, polybutylene t terephthalate, ionomer, polysulfone, politetra-ftoretiden, polytetramethylene 1,2-dioksibenzoat and copolymers of ethylene terephthalate and ethylene isophthalate.

[0211] The term “polyethylene terephthalate glycol” (PETG) as used herein refers to a PET copolymer when an additional comonomer, cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM) is added in significant quantities (eg, approximately 40% or more by weight) to the PET mixture. In one embodiment, the preferred PETG material is substantially amorphous. Suitable PETG materials can be obtained from various sources. One such source is Voridan, a branch of Eastman Chemical Company. Other PET copolymers include CHDM at low levels, so that the resulting material remains crystallized or semi-crystallized. An example of a PET copolymer containing low levels of CHDM is Voridian 9921 resin.

[0212] In some embodiments, grafted or modified polymers may be used. In one embodiment, grafted or modified may be polypropylene or other polymers with polar groups including, but not limited to, maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate, and / or similar adhesion improver compounds. In other embodiments, polypropylene is also used for clarified polypropylene. As used herein, the term “clarified polypropylene” is a broad term, used in accordance with its usual meaning, and may include, without limitation, polypropylene containing nucleation inhibitors and / or brightening additives. Clarified polypropylene is usually a transparent material compared to a homopolymer or blocking copolymer of polypropylene. The inclusion of a nucleation inhibitor helps to prevent and / or reduce crystallization leading to fogging of the polypropylene inside the polypropylene. Clarified polypropylene can be obtained from various sources, such as Dow Chemical Co. Alternatively, nucleation inhibitors may be added to the polypropylene. One suitable source of nucleation inhibitors is Shulman.

[0213] Optionally, the materials may contain microstructures, such as microlayers, microspheres, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, preferred options may be natural, unused, used, refined, regenerated, and / or combinations thereof.

[0214] As used herein, the term "PET" includes, but is not limited to, modified PET, as well as PET mixed with other materials. One example of a modified PET is “High IPA PET,” or IPA-modified PET related to PET, in which the IPA content is preferably more than 2% by weight, including 2-10% by weight of IPA, also including 5- 10% by weight IPA. PET can be natural, unused, used, regenerated or refined PET, copolymers of PET and combinations thereof.

[0215] In embodiments of the preferred methods and processes, one or more layers may comprise barrier layers, UV protection layers, oxygen absorbing layers, carbon dioxide absorbing layers, carbon dioxide barrier layers and other layers necessary for a particular application. The terms “barrier material”, “barrier resin” and the like are used herein to be broad terms, are used in their usual sense and refer, without limitation, to materials that, when used in preferred methods and processes, have low permeability to oxygen and dioxide carbon than one or more layers. As used herein, the terms “UV protection” and the like are broad terms, are used in their usual meaning and refer, without limitation, to materials that have a higher UV absorption than one or more layers of the product. As used herein, the terms “oxygen removal” and the like are broad terms, are used in their usual meaning and refer, without limitation, to materials having a higher oxygen absorption coefficient than one or more layers of the article. As used herein, the terms “oxygen barrier” and the like are broad terms, are used in their usual sense, and refer, without limitation, to materials that are passive or active in nature, slowing the transfer of oxygen to and / or from the product. As used herein, the terms “carbon dioxide removal” and the like are broad terms, are used in their usual meaning and refer, without limitation, to materials having a higher absorption coefficient of carbon dioxide than one or more layers of the article. As used herein, the terms “carbon dioxide barrier” and the like are broad terms, are used in their usual sense, and refer, without limitation, to materials passive or active in nature, slowing down the transfer of carbon dioxide to and / or from the product. Not wishing to be bound by any theories, the applicants believe that when using excessively carbonated products, for example, light refreshing drinks contained in the product, the presence of a carbon dioxide absorber in one or more layers of the product allows excess carbon dioxide to saturate the layer containing the carbon dioxide absorber. Therefore, when carbon dioxide leaves the product in the atmosphere, it first leaves this layer of the product, and not the product contained in the product. The terms “crosslinked”, “crosslinked” and the like, are used herein to be broad terms, are used in their usual meaning and refer, without limitation, to materials and coatings that vary in degree of crosslinking, from a very small degree of crosslinking to completely crosslinked materials such as epoxy thermoset. The degree of crosslinking can be adjusted to provide an appropriate degree of chemical or mechanical resistance to spoilage in certain circumstances. The term “binder material” as used herein is a broad term, used in its usual sense, and refers, without limitation, to a gas, liquid, or suspension containing a material that promotes the physical and / or chemical bonding of two materials together, including, but not limited to, adhesive materials, surface modifying agents, reaction materials and the like.

1. Preferred materials

[0216] In a preferred embodiment, the materials comprise thermoplastic materials. More preferred materials include “Phenoxy-type Thermoplastics.” Phenoxy type thermoplastics, as the term is used here, include a wide variety of materials, including those described in WO 99/20462. In one embodiment, the materials include thermoplastic epoxy resins (TPES), a special case of phenoxy-type thermoplastics. Another particular case of thermoplastics such as phenoxy and thermoplastic materials are the preferred polymers of hydroxy-phenoxy ether, of which polyhydroxyamine ether (PHAE) copolymers are the more preferred material. See, for example, US patents Nos. 6,455,116, 6,180,715, 6,011,111, 5,834,078, 5,814,373, 5,464,924 and 5,275,853, see also international applications Nos. 99/12995, WO 98/29491 and WO 98/14498. In some embodiments, the PHAEs are TPES.

[0217] Preferably, phenoxy-type thermoplastics used in preferred embodiments comprise one of the following types:

(1) hydroxy-functional poly- (amido esters) having repeating elements represented by any of the following formulas Ia, Ib or Ic:

or

(2) poly (hydroxy amido esters) having repeating elements represented independently by any of the following formulas: IIa, IIb or IIc:

or

(3) amido and hydroxymethyl functional polyesters having repeating elements represented by formula III:

(4) hydroxy-functional polyesters having repeating elements represented by formula IV:

(5) hydroxy-functional poly (ether sulfonamides) having repeating elements represented by the formula Va or Vb:

(6) poly (hydroxy ether esters) having the repeating elements represented by formula VI:

(7) hydroxy-phenoxyether polymers having repeating elements represented by formula VII:

and

(8) poly (hydroxyamino esters) having repeating elements represented by formula VIII:

where each Ar individually represents a divalent aromatic residue substituted by a divalent aromatic residue or heteroaromatic residue, or a combination of various divalent aromatic residues, substituted aromatic residues or heteroaromatic residues, R is individually hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon residue; each Ar ₁ is a divalent aromatic residue or a combination of divalent aromatic residues having an amide or hydroxymethyl group; each Ar ₂ is the same or different from Ar and individually is a divalent aromatic residue, substituted by an aromatic residue or heteroaromatic residue, or a combination of various divalent aromatic residues, substituted aromatic residues or heteroaromatic residues; R ₁ individually is predominantly a hydrocarbon residue, such as a divalent aromatic residue, a substituted divalent aromatic residue, a divalent heteroaromatic residue, a divalent alkylene residue, a divalent substituted alkylene residue, or a divalent heteroalkylene residue, or combinations of such residues; R _{2 is} individually a monovalent hydrocarbon residue; A is an amino residue or a combination of various amino residues; X is an amino, arylenedioxy, arylandisulfonamido or arylandicarboxy moiety or a combination of such moieties; and Ar ₃ is a “cardo" residue represented by one of the formulas:

,

,

,

,

[0218] where Y is zero, a covalent bond or a linking group, wherein a suitable linking group includes, for example, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a carbonyl atom, a sulfonyl group, or a methylene group, or the like; n is an integer from about 10 to 1000; x has values from 0.01 to 1.0; and y has values from 0 to 0.5.

[0219] The term “predominantly hydrocarbulene” means a divalent radical, which is predominantly a hydrocarbon, but which optionally contains a small amount of a heteroatomic residue such as oxygen, sulfur, imino, sulfonyl, sulfoxyl and the like.

[0220] The hydroxy-functional poly (amido esters) represented by Formula I are preferably prepared by reacting N, N'-bis (hydroxyphenylamido) alkane or arene with diglycidyl ether, as described in US Pat. Nos. 5,089,588 and 5,143. 998.

[0221] The poly (hydroxy amido esters) represented by Formula II are prepared by reacting a bis (hydroxyphenylamido) alkane or arene, or a combination of 2 or more compounds such as N, N'-bis (3-hydroxyphenyl) adifamide or N, N ' bis (3-hydroxyphenyl) glutaramide, with epigaloxidrin, as described in US patent No. 5.134.218.

[0222] The amido and hydroxymethyl functional polyesters represented by formula III can be prepared, for example, by reacting diglycidyl ethers, such as diglycidyl ether bisphenol A, with dihydro phenol containing a hanging amido, N-substituted amido and / or hydroxyalkyl radicals, such as 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide and 3,5-dihydroxybenzamide. These polyesters and their preparation are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,115,075 and 5,218,075.

[0223] Hydroxy-functional polyesters represented by formula IV can be prepared, for example, by reaction of diglycidyl ether or a combination of diglycidyl ethers with dihydro phenol or a combination of dihydro phenols, using the method described in US Pat. No. 5,164,472. Alternatively, hydroxy-functional polyesters are prepared by reacting dihydro-phenol or a combination of dihydro-phenols with epihalohydrin according to the method described by Raining, Barnabeo and Gal in Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Volume 7, p. 2135 (1963).

[0224] The hydroxy-functional poly (ether sulfonamides) represented by Formula V are obtained, for example, by polymerizing N, N'-dialkyl or N, N'-diaryldisulfonamide with diglycidyl ether, as described in US Pat. No. 5,149,768.

[0225] The poly (hydroxy ester) represented by Formula VI are prepared by reacting diglycidyl esters of aliphatic or aromatic double acids, such as diglycidyl terephthalate, or diglycidyl esters of dihydro phenols with aliphatic or aromatic double acids, such as adipic acid or isophthalic. These polymers are described in US patent No. 5.171.820.

[0226] The hydroxy phenoxy ester polymers represented by formula VII are prepared, for example, by reacting at least one dinucleophilic monomer with at least one diglycidyl cardio bis phenol ester, such as 9,9-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene, phenolphthalein or phenolphthalimidine or a substituted cardo bis phenol such as substituted bis (hydroxyphenyl) fluorene, substituted phenolphthalein or substituted phenolphthalimidine under conditions sufficient for the nucleophilic residues of the dinucleophilic monomer to react with epoxy residues to form vaniem polymer backbone containing free hydroxy residues and esters, imino, amino, sulfonamido or ester linkages. These hydroxy phenoxy ether polymers are described in US Pat. No. 5,184,373.

[0227] The poly (hydroxyamino esters) (“PHAE” or polyester amines) represented by Formula VIII are prepared by reacting one or more diglycidyl esters of dihydrogenated phenol with an amine having two amino hydrogen under conditions sufficient to allow the reaction of the amino radicals with epoxy radicals with the formation of a polymer skeleton having amine bonds, ether bonds and free hydroxyl residues. These compounds are described in US patent No. 5.275.853. For example, polyhydroxyamino ester copolymers can be prepared from resorcinol diglycidyl ether, hydroquinone diglycidyl ether, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, or mixtures thereof.

[0228] Hydroxy-phenoxy ester polymers are products of a condensation reaction of a dihydrogenated multinuclear phenol, such as bisphenol A and epihalohydrin, and have repeating elements represented by formula IV, where Ar is the isopropylidene diphenylene residue. The method for their preparation is described in US Pat. No. 3,305,528, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. One preferred, non-limiting hydroxy-phenoxy ester polymer, PAPHEN 25068-38-6, is available from Phenoxy Associates, Inc. Other preferred phenoxy resins sold by InChem® (Rock Hill, SC), these materials also include, but are not limited to, INCHEMREZ ^tm PKHH and PKHW production lines.

[0229] In general, preferred phenoxy type materials form stable aqueous solutions or dispersions. Preferably, contact with water does not change the properties of the solutions / dispersions for the worse. Preferred materials have about 10 to 50% solids, including about 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% and 45%, and ranges spanning these values. Preferably, the material used is dissolved or dispersed in polar solvents. Such polar solvents include, but are not limited to, water, alcohols, and glycol ethers. See, for example, US Patent Nos. 6,455,116, 6,180,715 and 5,834,078 for some preferred phenoxy type solutions and dispersions.

[0230] One of the preferred phenoxy type materials is the poly (hydroxyamino ether) copolymer “PHAE” represented by formula VIII, a dispersion thereof or a solution thereof. When a dispersion or solution is supplied to a container or preform, the penetration rate of many gases is significantly reduced in a predictable and well-known manner through the walls of the container. The dispersion or the latex obtained from it contains 10-30% solids. The PHAE dispersion solution can be prepared by shaking or otherwise disturbing the PHAE in an aqueous solution with an organic acid, preferably acetic or phosphoric acids, but also including lactic, maleic or citric, or glycolic acids and / or mixtures thereof. These PHAE solutions / dispersions also include organic acid salts obtained by reacting polyhydroxyamino esters with these acids.

[0231] In other preferred embodiments, phenoxy-type thermoplastics are combined or mixed with other materials by methods known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, a substance may be added to the mixture to facilitate the compatibility of its constituents. When using such a substance, preferably one or more properties of the mixture are improved, such properties include, but are not limited to, the color, dryness and tackiness of the layer containing the mixture with other layers. One of the preferred mixtures includes one or more phenoxy type thermoplastics and one or more polyolefins. Preferred polyolefins contain polypropylene. In one embodiment, polypropylene or other polyolefins can be grafted or modified with polar molecules or monomers, including, but not limited to, maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate and / or similar compounds that increase compatibility.

[0232] Examples of suitable phenoxy type solutions or dispersions are the following PHAE solutions or dispersions that can be used if one or more layers of resins are applied in liquid form, dipping, dousing or spraying, as described in WO 04/004929 and US Pat. No. 6.676.883. One suitable material is the BLOX® experimental barrier resin, for example XU-19061.00, containing phosphoric acid, manufactured by Dow Chemical. This particular PHAE dispersion is known to have the following typical characteristics: 30% solids, specific gravity 1.30, pH 4, viscosity 24 centipoise (Brookfield, 60 rpm, LVI, 22 ° C), with particle sizes between 1.400 and 1.800 angstroms . Other suitable materials include resoxinol-based BLOX® resins 588-29, which also show excellent barrier properties. This particular PHAE dispersion is known to have the following typical characteristics: 30% solids, specific gravity 1.2 pH 4.0, viscosity 20 centipoise (Brookfield, 60 rpm, LVI, 22 ° C), with particle sizes between 1.500 and 2000 angstroms. Other chemical properties of variations of polyhydroxyamino esters, such as crystalline versions based on diglycidyl hydroquinone esters, may also be useful. Other suitable materials include polyhydroxyamino ester solutions / dispersions from Imperial Chemical Industries ("ICI," Ohio, USA) sold under the name OXYBLOK. In one embodiment, the PHAE solutions or dispersions can be partially cross-linked (semi-cross-linked), fully, or to any precisely defined desired degree suitable for a given application by adding a suitable cross-linking material. The advantages of cross-linking include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: increased chemical resistance, increased abrasion resistance, low color, low surface tension. Examples of crosslinked materials include, but are not limited to, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, or other members of the aldehyde material family. Suitable crosslinked materials also provide a variation in the T _{g of the} material, which may facilitate the formation of specific containers. Other suitable materials include intermediate dispersions of resins of the BLOX® 5000, BLOX® XUR 588-29, BLOX® 0000 and 4000 series. Solvents used to dissolve these materials include, but are not limited to, polar solvents such as alcohols, water, glycol esters or mixtures thereof. Other suitable materials include, but are not limited to, BLOX® R1.

[0233] In one embodiment, preferred phenoxy-type thermoplastics are soluble in aquatic acid. The polymer solution / dispersion can be prepared by shaking or otherwise disturbing the thermoplastic epoxides in a solution of water with an organic acid, preferably acetic or phosphoric acids, but also including lactic, maleic, citric or glycolic acids and / or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of acid in the polymer solution is preferably in the range of about 5-20%, including about 5-10% by weight of the total weight. In other preferred embodiments, the acid concentration is below about 5% or above about 20% and may vary depending on factors such as the type of polymer and its molecular weight. In other preferred embodiments, the acid concentration is in the range of about 2.5 to 5% by weight. The amount of polymer dissolved is preferably in the range of about 0.1 to 40%. A homogeneous and free flowing polymer solution is preferred. In one embodiment, a 10% polymer solution is prepared by dissolving the polymer in 10% acetic acid at 90 ° C. Then, a still hot solution is dissolved in 20% distilled water to obtain an 8% polymer solution. At higher polymer concentrations, the polymer solution is more viscous.

[0234] Examples of preferred copolymer materials of the processes for their preparation are described in US Pat. No. 4,578,295 Jabraina. Basically, they are obtained by heating a mixture of at least one reagent selected from isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid and C ₁ to C ₄ alkyl esters thereof with 1,3 bis (2-hydroxyethoxy) benzene and ethylene glycols. Optionally, the mixture may further comprise one or more ether-forming dihydroxy hydrocarbons and / or bis (4-β-hydroxyethoxyphenyl) sulfone. The most preferred copolymer materials are available from Mitsui Petrochemical Ind. Ltd. (Japan), as B-010, B-030 and others from this family.

[0235] Examples of preferred polyamide materials include MXD-6 from Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (Japan). Other preferred polyamide materials include Nylon 6 and Nylon 66. Other preferred polyamide materials are blends of polyamide and polyester, including those containing about 1-20% by weight of polyester, more preferably about 1-10% by weight of polyester, where the polyester is preferably , PET or modified PET. In another embodiment, preferred polyamide materials are blends of polyamide and polyester, including blends containing about 1-20% polyamide by weight, more preferably about 1-10% polyamide by weight, and where the polyester is preferably PET or modified PET. Mixtures may be conventional mixtures, or they may be made compatible with antioxidants or other material. Examples of such materials include those described in published US patent application No. 2004/0013833, filed March 21, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this description. Other preferred polyesters include, but are not limited to, copolymers of PEN and PET / PEN.

1. Preferred foam materials

[0236] As used herein, the term “foam material” is used in its usual sense and may include, without limitation, a foam agent, a mixture of a foam agent and a binder or carrier material, an expandable cellular material and / or material having voids. The terms “foam material” and “expandable material” are used interchangeably herein. A preferred foam material may have one or more physical characteristics that improve the thermal and / or structural characteristics of products (e.g. containers) and can make preferred options able to withstand the effects and physical loads that containers typically experience. In one embodiment, the foam material provides structural support to the container. In another embodiment, the foam material forms a protective layer that reduces the possibility of damage to the container during processing. For example, the foam material can provide abrasion resistance, which reduces container breakdowns during transportation. In one embodiment, the foam backing layer can increase the resistance of the container to shocks or pressure and thereby prevent or reduce the breakage of containers. In addition, in another embodiment, the foam may provide a comfortable grip surface and / or enhance the aesthetics or attractiveness of the container.

[0237] In one embodiment, the foam material comprises a foaming or bubble agent and a carrier material. In one preferred embodiment, the foaming agent contains expandable structures (e.g., microspheres) that can expand and interact with the carrier material to form a foam. For example, the foaming agent may be thermoplastic microspheres, such as EXPANCEL® microspheres sold by Akzo Nobel. In one embodiment, the microspheres may be thermoplastic hollow spheres containing thermoplastic cells containing gas. Preferably, when the microspheres are heated, the thermoplastic cells soften, and the gas increases the pressure in them, causing the microspheres to expand from the original position to the expanded position. The expanded microspheres and a portion of at least the carrier material may form a foamy portion of the articles described herein. The foam material may form a layer containing a single material (for example, a substantially homogeneous mixture of a foaming agent and a carrier material), a mixture or blend of materials, a matrix of two or more materials, two or more layers, or a series of microlayers (lamellas), preferably including at least two different materials. Alternatively, the microspheres may be of any other suitable material with controlled expansion. For example, microspheres can be structures containing materials that emit gas inside or from structures. In one embodiment, the microspheres are hollow structures containing chemicals that produce or contain gas, wherein increasing gas pressure causes expansion and / or rupture of the structures. In another embodiment, the microspheres are structures made of, and / or containing, one or more materials that decompose or react with gas evolution, the microspheres expand and / or collapse. Optionally, microspheres can be mainly solid structures. Optionally, the microspheres may be cells filled with solid, liquid and / or gases. The microspheres can be of any configuration and shape suitable for producing foam. For example, microspheres can be mainly spherical. Optionally, the microspheres can be elongated or inclined spheroids. Optionally, the microspheres may contain any gas or mixture of gases suitable for expanding the microspheres. In one embodiment, the gas may include an inert gas, such as nitrogen. In one embodiment, the gas is usually non-combustible. However, in some embodiments, the microsphere cells may be filled with a non-inert and / or combustible gas. In some embodiments, the foam material may include foaming or destructive agents known in the art. Additionally, the foam material can be mainly or fully foaming agent.

[0238] Although some preferred embodiments comprise microspheres that generally do not collapse or burst, other embodiments comprise microspheres that may break, rupture, break, and / or the like. Optionally, a portion of the microspheres may break, while the remainder of the microspheres will not be broken. In some embodiments, microspheres break down to about 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% , 90% by weight and in intervals including these values. In one embodiment, for example, the bulk of the microspheres can be torn and / or broken when they expand. In addition, various blends and mixtures of microspheres can be used to produce foam material.

[0239] Microspheres can be obtained from any material suitable for obtaining expansion. In one embodiment, the microspheres may have cells comprising a polymer, resin, thermoplastic, thermoset, or the like, as described herein. Microsphere cells may contain a single material or a mixture of two or more different materials. For example, microspheres may have an outer shell containing ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamides (e.g. nylon 6 and nylon 66), glycol polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), PEN, PET copolymers, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the PET copolymer comprises a CHDM copolymer at a level between what is commonly referred to as PETG and PET. In another embodiment, copolymers such as DEG and IPA are added to the PET to form microsphere shells. To achieve the desired expansion of the microspheres, a suitable combination of material type, size and internal gas content can be selected. In one embodiment, the microspheres have shells of high temperature material (for example, PETG or similar material) capable of expanding under the influence of high temperature, preferably without destroying the microspheres. If the microspheres have shells of a low temperature material (e.g., such as EVA), the microspheres can be destroyed by the high temperature desired to process certain carrier materials (e.g., PET or polypropylene having a high melting point). In certain circumstances, for example, EXPANCEL® microspheres can break when processed at relatively high temperatures. It is fortunate that medium- or high-temperature microspheres can be used with a carrier material having a relatively high melting point to produce controlled expandable foam material without destroying the microspheres. For example, microspheres may contain medium temperature material (e.g., PETG) or high temperature material (e.g., acrylonitrile) and may be suitable for relatively high temperature applications. Thus, the destructive agent for foaming polymers can be selected taking into account the processing temperatures used.

[0240] The foam material may be a matrix comprising carrier material, preferably a material that can be mixed with a destructive agent (eg, microspheres) to produce an expandable material. The carrier material may be a thermoplastic, thermoset, or polymer material such as ethylene acrylic acid (EAA), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), poly (hydroxyamino esters) (PHAE) , PET, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene (PS), pulp (for example, pulp of wood or paper fibers, or pulp mixed with one or more polymers), mixtures thereof and the like. However, to achieve one or more of the desired thermal, structural, optical, and / or other characteristics of the foam, other materials suitable for transferring the foaming agent can be used. In some embodiments, the carrier material has properties (for example, a high melting index) that provide easier and faster expansion of the microspheres, thereby reducing cycle time, which leads to increased productivity.

[0241] In preferred embodiments, the formatted material may comprise two or more components, including a number of components having each different processing intervals and / or physical properties. The components can be combined in such a way that the formatted material will have one or more desired characteristics. To obtain the desired processing interval and / or physical properties, the proportion of the components can be changed. For example, the first material may have a processing interval similar or different from the processing interval of the second material. The processing interval may include, for example, pressure, temperature, viscosity, or the like. In this case, the components of the formatted material can be mixed in order to obtain the desired interval for molding the material, for example, pressure or temperature.

[0242] In one embodiment, the combination of the first material and the second material may result in a material having a processing interval more desirable than the processing interval of the second material. For example, the first material may be suitable for processing in a wider temperature range, and the second material may be suitable for processing in a narrower temperature range. A material having a part formed by the first material and another part formed by the second material may be suitable for processing in a temperature range wider than a narrow temperature range for processing the second material. In one embodiment, the processing interval of the multicomponent material is similar to the processing interval of the first material. In one embodiment, the formatted material comprises a multilayer sheet or tube containing a layer comprising PET and a layer comprising polypropylene. Material obtained from both PET and polypropylene can be processed (for example, by extrusion) in a wide temperature range, the same as the processing temperature range suitable for PET. The processing interval can be set for one or more parameters, such as pressure, temperature, viscosity and / or the like.

[0243] Optionally, the amount of each component of the material may vary to achieve the desired processing intervals. Optionally, the materials can be combined to produce a formable material suitable for processing in the desired range of pressure, temperature, viscosity, and / or the like. For example, the proportion of a material having a more desirable processing interval may be increased, and the proportion of a material having a less desirable processing interval may be reduced to obtain a material having a processing interval very similar or substantially the same as the processing interval of the first material. Of course, if the most desirable processing interval is between the first processing interval of the first material and the second processing interval of the second material, the proportion of the first and second material can be selected to achieve the desired processing interval of the formatted material.

[0244] Optionally, to obtain the desired processing interval of the final material, a number of materials can be combined having each of the same or different processing intervals.

[0245] In one embodiment, the rheological characteristics of the formatted material can be changed by changing one or more of its components having different rheological characteristics. For example, a substrate (e.g., PP) may have high melting resistance and be extrusion malleable. PP can be combined with another material, such as PET, which has low resistance to melting, which makes it difficult to extrude, obtaining a material suitable for extrusion processes. For example, a PP layer or other strong material may support a PET layer during co-extrusion (e.g., horizontal or vertical co-extrusion). In this case, the formatted material obtained from PET and polypropylene can be processed, for example, by extrusion in a temperature range that is usually suitable for PP and usually not suitable for PET.

[0246] In some embodiments, the composition of the formatted material may be selected to affect one or more properties of the product. For example, thermal properties, structural properties, barrier properties, optical properties, rheological properties, favorable palatability and / or other properties or characteristics described herein can be obtained using the formatted materials described herein.

1. Additives to improve materials

[0247] An advantage of the preferred methods described herein is their flexibility to allow the use of multifunctional additives. Additives known to those skilled in the art can be used that can increase the barrier to CO ₂ , the barrier to O ₂ , UV protection, abrasion resistance, staining resistance, shock resistance and / or chemical resistance.

[0248] Preferred additives may be prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, additives can be directly mixed into a specific material, they can be dissolved or dispersed separately and then added to a specific material, or they can be combined with a specific material to add a solution to form a solution or dispersion of the material. In addition, in some embodiments, preferred additives may be used alone as a single layer.

[0249] In preferred embodiments, the barrier properties of the layer can be enhanced by the addition of various additives. Additives are preferably taken in an amount up to about 40% of the material, including also up to about 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 2% and 1% by weight of the material. In other embodiments, additives are preferably taken in an amount of less than or equal to 1%, preferred material ranges include, but are not limited to, from about 0.01% to 1%, from 0.01% to 0.1%, and from 0.1 % to 1% by weight. Further, in some embodiments, the additives are preferably stable under aqueous conditions. For example, resorsinol derivatives (m-dihydroxybenzene) can be used in conjunction with various preferred materials, such as mixtures or additives, or monomers, to form the material. The higher the content of resorsinol, the higher the barrier properties of the material. For example, resorsinol diglycidyl ether can be used in PHAE, and resorsinol hydroxyethyl ether can be used in PET and other polyesters and copolyester Barrier Materials.

[0250] Another additive that can be used is “nanoparticle material”. For convenience, the term nanoparticles will be used here for both nanoparticles and nanoparticle material. These nanoparticles are tiny micron or submicron size (diameter) particles of materials that improve the barrier properties of the material by creating a more winding path for the migration of gas molecules, for example, for oxygen or carbon dioxide, when they penetrate the material. In preferred embodiments, the material of the nanoparticles is in an amount in the range from 0.05 to 1% by weight, including 0.1%, 0.5% by weight and ranges including these values.

[0251] One preferred type of nanoparticle material is a microparticle clay product available from Sozern Clay Products under the trademark Cloisite® Nanoparticles. In one embodiment, preferred nanoparticles comprise monmorillonite modified with a quaternary ammonium salt. In other embodiments, the nanoparticles comprise monmorillonite modified with a tertiary ammonium salt. In other embodiments, the nanoparticles contain natural monmorillonite. In further embodiments, the nanoparticles contain organic clays described in US Pat. No. 5,780,376, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and form part of the description of this application. Other suitable products based on organic and inorganic clays with microparticles can also be used. Both artificial and natural products are also suitable.

[0252] Another preferred type of nanoparticle material comprises a composite metal material. For example, one suitable composite is an aqueous dispersion of alumina in the form of nanoparticles, available from BYK Chemie (Germany). We believe that this type of nanoparticle material can provide one or more of the following advantages: increased abrasion resistance, increased scratch resistance, increased T _g, and thermal stability.

[0253] Another preferred type of nanoparticle material comprises a polymer silicate composite. In preferred embodiments, the silicate contains monmorillonite. Suitable polymer silicate nanoparticle material can be obtained from Nanocor and RTP.

[0254] In preferred embodiments, the property of the UV protection material can be enhanced by the addition of various additives. In a preferred embodiment, the UV protection material used provides UV protection of up to about 350 nm or less, preferably up to about 370 nm or less, more preferably up to about 400 nm or less. The UV-protective material can be used as an additive to layers providing additional functional properties, or used separately as a single layer. The preferred amount of additives in the material that provide enhanced UV protection is from about 0.05 to 20% by weight, but also includes about 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5% , 10% and 15% by weight, and intervals including these values. UV-protective material is added, preferably in a form compatible with other materials. For example, Milliken UV390A ClearShield® is the preferred UV protection material. UV390A is an oily liquid, the mixing of which is facilitated by the initial mixing of the liquid with water, preferably in approximately equal volume parts. Then this mixture is added to a solution of material, for example, BLOX® 599-29, and shaken. The resulting solution contains about 10% UV390A and provides UV protection up to 39 nm when used in a PET preform. As described previously, in another embodiment, the UV390A solution is used as a single layer. In other embodiments, a preferred UV protection material comprises a polymer grafted or modified with a UV absorber added as a concentrate. Other preferred UV protection materials include, but are not limited to, benzotriazoles, phenol triazines and azaphenothiazines. UV protection materials can be added in the melt phase prior to use, for example, before injection or extrusion molding, or added directly to the coating material in the form of a solution or dispersion. Suitable UV protection materials are available from Milliken, Tsiba and Klariant.

[0255] In preferred embodiments, a CO ₂ removal property may be added to the material. In one preferred embodiment, this property is obtained by the inclusion of an active amine that reacts with CO ₂ to form a salt with a high gas barrier. This salt will then act as a passive barrier to CO ₂ . The active amine may be an additive, or it may be in the composition of one or more residues of the material of the thermoplastic resin of one or more layers.

[0256] In preferred embodiments, a preferred material may be added to the O ₂ removing property by incorporating a component-removing O _2, such as antrokvinon and others known in the art. In another embodiment, a suitable O ₂ removal component is AMOSORB®, available from BP Amoco Corporation and ColorMatrix Corporation, described in US Pat. No. 6,083,585 by Kehill et al., The entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment, the O ₂ removal property is added to preferred phenoxy type materials or other materials by incorporating O ₂ removing components in phenoxy type materials with different activation mechanisms. Preferred O ₂ removal materials can act either spontaneously, gradually, or with a delay until triggered by a special trigger. In some embodiments, O ₂ removal materials are activated either under the influence of UV, or water (for example, present in the contents of the container), or a combination of both factors. The O ₂ removal material is preferably present in an amount of about 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably in an amount of about 0.5 to 10% by weight, and most preferably in an amount of about 1 to 5 % by weight, of the total weight of the coating layer.

[0257] In another preferred embodiment, a topcoat or layer is used to provide chemical resistance to harsher chemicals than the resistance of the outer layer. In some embodiments, these topcoats or layers are preferably based on aqueous or non-aqueous polyesters or acrylics, which optionally have partially or fully cross-linked. Polyethylene terephthalate is the preferred aqueous polyester, but other polyesters can be used. In some embodiments, a method of applying a topcoat or layer is used, which is described in US Patent Publication No. 2004/0071885, entitled “Method of Obtaining Coated Products by Dipping, Spraying and Watering”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference .

[0258] A preferred aqueous polyester resin is described in US Pat. No. 4,977,191 (Salesman), which is incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, US Pat. No. 4,977,191 describes an aqueous polyester resin containing a reaction product of 20-50% by weight of a secondary terephthalate polymer, 10-40% by weight of at least glycol and 5-25% by weight of at least , hydroxyalkylated polyol.

[0259] Another preferred aqueous polymer is the sulfonated aqueous polyester resin composition described in US Pat. No. 5,281,630 (Salesman), which is incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, US Pat. No. 5,281,630 describes an aqueous suspension of a sulfonated, water-soluble or water-dispersed polyester resin containing a reaction product of 20-50% by weight of terephthalate polymer, 10-40% by weight of at least glycol and 5-25% by weight of one at least an oxyalkylated polyol to prepare a prepolymer resin having hydroxyalkyl functionality, when the prepolymer resin further reacts with about 0.10-0.50 moles of alpha, beta ethyleneated unsaturated dicarboxylic acid per 100 g of prepol dimensional resin obtained from this resin finish residue of alpha, beta unsaturated dicarboxylic acid etilenirovannoy reacting with about 0.5-1.5 moles of sulfite per mole residue of alpha, beta unsaturated dicarboxylic acid etilenirovannoy give complete sulphonate resin.

[0260] Another preferred aqueous polymer is a coating as described in US Pat. No. 5,726,277 (Salesman), which is incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, US Pat. No. 5,726,277 describes coating compositions containing a reaction product of at least 50% by weight of a secondary terephthalate polymer and a mixture of glycols, including an oxyalkylated polyol in the presence of a glycol catalyst, the reaction product further reacting with a bifunctional organic acid in an acid weight ratio to glycols in the range from 6: 1 to 1: 2.

[0261] Although the above examples show preferred aqueous polymer coating compositions, other aqueous polymers are suitable for use in the products and methods described herein. By way of example only and without intent to limit, the following suitable aqueous compositions may be cited as described in US Pat. No. 4,104,222 (Date et al.), Incorporated herein by reference. US patent No. 4.104.222 describes a dispersion of a linear polyester resin obtained by mixing a linear polyester resin with a surface-active agent such as a higher alcohol / ethylene additive, melting the mixture and dispersing the obtained melt by pouring it with stirring in an aqueous alkali solution. More specifically, this dispersion is obtained by mixing a linear polyester resin with a surface-active agent such as an additive of higher alcohol / ethylene oxide, melting the mixture and dispersing the obtained melt by pouring it while stirring in an alkanolamine aqueous solution at a temperature of 70-95 ° C, said alkanolamine being selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monomethylethanolamine, monoethylethanolamine, diethylethanolamine, propanolamine, butanolamine, pentanolamine, N-phenylethylethanolamine and alkanols n glycerol, wherein said alkanolamine is present in an amount of 0.2 to 5% by weight, said surface active agent such as a higher alcohol / ethylene oxide additive is a higher alcohol ethylene oxide additive product having an alkyl group with 8 at least carbon atoms, alkyl substituted phenol or sorbitan monoacylate, wherein said surface active agent has an HLB value of at least 12.

[0262] Similarly, for example, US Pat. No. 4,528,321 (Allena) describes a dispersion in water of immiscible water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles obtained in the reverse polymerization phase of a water-immiscible liquid comprising a non-ionic compound selected from C _4-12 alkylene glycol monoesters, their C _1-4 alkanoates, C _6-12 polyalkylene glycol monoesters and their C _1-4 alkanoates.

[0263] The materials of some embodiments may be crosslinked to increase thermal stability for various uses, for example, during hot filling. In one embodiment, the inner layers may contain weakly crosslinked materials, while other layers may contain highly crosslinked materials, or other suitable combinations. For example, the inner coating on the surface of the PET may use non-crosslinked materials or weakly crosslinked materials such as BLOX® 588-29, and the outer coating may use another material such as ICI EXP 12468-4 V, crosslinkable to maximize bonding with PET. Suitable crosslinkable additives may be added to one or more layers. Suitable crosslinkers may be selected depending on the chemistry and functionality of the resin or material to which they are added. For example, amine crosslinkers may be useful for crosslinking resins containing epoxy groups. Preferably, crosslinking agents, if present, are present in an amount of about 1 to 10% by weight of the solution / dispersion of the coating, preferably about 1 to 5%, more preferably about 0.01 to 0.1% by weight, also including 2%, 3%, 4%, 6%, 7%, 8% and 9% by weight. Optionally, thermoplastic epoxide (TPE) can be used with one or more crosslinking agents. In some embodiments, agents (eg, carbon black) may coat TPE material or be contained therein. TPE material may form part of the products described herein. It is understood that carbon black or similar additives can be used in other polymers to improve the properties of materials.

[0264] the Materials of some options may optionally contain an agent that improves conservation. As used herein, the term “storage enhancing agent” is a broad term, is used in its usual sense, and includes, without limitation, a chemical crosslinking catalyst, a thermal enhancing agent, and the like. As used herein, the term “thermal enhancing agent” is a broad term, used in its usual meaning, and includes, without limitation, transition metals, transition metal compounds, radiation absorbing additives (eg, soot). Suitable transition metals include, but are not limited to, cobalt, rhodium, copper. Suitable transition metal compounds include, but are not limited to, metal carboxylates. Preferred carboxylates include, but are not limited to, neodecanoate, octoate and acetate. Thermal enhancers can be used alone, or in combination with one or more other thermal enhancers.

[0265] Thermal enhancing agents can be added to the material and can significantly increase the temperature of the material during the improvement process, compared to materials without a thermal enhancing agent. For example, in some embodiments, a thermal enhancing agent (e.g., carbon black) can be added to the polymer so that the temperature of the polymer subjected to the improvement process (e.g., IR radiation) becomes significantly higher than the temperature of the polymer without a thermal improving agent subjected to the same or a similar improvement process. An increase in polymer temperature caused by a thermal enhancing agent can increase the rate of improvement and thereby increase productivity. In some embodiments, the thermal enhancing agent typically has a higher temperature than one of at least one of the layers of the product when the thermal improving agent and the product are heated in a heating device (eg, infrared heating device).

[0266] In some embodiments, the thermal enhancing agent is present in an amount of about 5 to 800 ppm, preferably 20 to 150 ppm, preferably 50 to 125 ppm, preferably 75 to 100 ppm, including also about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 ppm and in the intervals covering these quantities. The amount of thermal enhancing agent can be calculated based on the weight of the layer containing the thermal enhancing agent, or the total weight of all layers making up the product.

[0267] In some embodiments, a preferred thermal enhancing agent includes carbon black. In one embodiment, carbon black is used as a component of a coating material to improve the conservation of coating material. When used as a component of a coating material, carbon black is added to one or more coating materials, before, during, and / or after application of the coating material to the product (for example, by impregnation, application, etc.). Preferably, the carbon black is added to the coating material and shaken to allow complete mixing. The thermal enhancing agent may contain additional materials to achieve the desired material properties of the product.

[0268] In another embodiment, in which carbon black is used in an injection molding process, carbon black can be added to a polymer mixture in a phase of the melting process.

[0269] In some embodiments, the polymer contains from about 5 to 800 ppm, preferably from 20 to 150 ppm, preferably from 50 to 125 ppm, preferably from 75 to 100 ppm, including also about 10, 20, 30, 40 , 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 ppm of a thermal enhancing agent and in ranges spanning these amounts. In a further embodiment, the coating material is improved using radiation such as infrared (IR) heating. In preferred embodiments, IR heating provides a more effective coating than processing by other methods. Other thermal and enhancing agents and methods for their use are described in US patent application No. 10/983.150, filed November 5, 2004, entitled "Catalytic Methods for the Preparation of Coated Articles", the description of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference to it.

[0270] In some embodiments, the addition of anti-foam / vesicle agents is desired. In some embodiments, the use of solutions or dispersions of solutions or dispersions results in the formation of foam and / or bubbles that can interact with preferred methods. One way to eliminate this interaction is to add antifoam / bubble agents to the solution / dispersion. Suitable antifoam agents include, but are not limited to, non-ionic surfactants, alkylene oxide-based materials, siloxane-based materials, and ionic surfactants. Preferably, anti-foaming agents, if present, are present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 0.3% solution / dispersion, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.2%, but also including about 0.02%, 0.03 %, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.06%, 0.07%, 0.08%, 0.09%, 0.1%, 0.25% and intervals including these values.

[0271] In other embodiments, foam agents may be added to the coating materials to expand the coating layer. In further embodiments, a reaction product of the foam agent is used. Useful foam agents include, but are not limited to, azobisformamide, azobisisobutilonitrile, diazoaminobenzene, N, N-dimethyl-N, N-dinitrosoterephthalamide, N, N-dinitrosopentamethylene-tetramine, benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, benzene-1,3-disulfonyl di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-di-sulfonyl-hydrazide, -3-3, disulfonyl hydrazide, 4,4'-oxybis benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, p-toluene sulfonyl semicarbiside, barium azodicarboxylate, butylamine nitrile, nitroureaz, trihydrazino triazine, phenylmethyl-urethane, p-sulfonhydrazide, amides, peroxides, bicarbonate of soda. As is known, foaming agents are currently commercially available including, but not limited to, EXPANCEL®, CELOGEN®, HYDROCEROL®, MIKROFINE®, CEL-SPAN®, and PLASTRON® FOAM.

[0272] The foam agent is present in the coating material, preferably in an amount of from about 1 to 20% by weight, more preferably from about 1 to 10% by weight, and most preferably from about 1 to 5% by weight, of the weight of the layer coverings. The latest foam technologies using compressed gas as alternative means for producing foam, instead of the traditional bubble agents listed above, may also be used by those well-known to those skilled in the art.

[0273] The binder layer is preferably a polymer having functional groups, such as anhydrides and epoxides, which react with carboxyl and / or hydroxyl groups in the chains of PET polymers. Useful tie layer materials, including but not limited to DuPont BYNEL®, Mitsui ADMER®, Eastman's EPOLINE, Arkema's LOTADER and ExxonMobil's EVELOY®.

D. Methods and systems for producing laminate

[0274] A multicomponent layer or article can also be obtained from a layered melt stream containing preferably at least two components. The layered melt stream, as the term is used here, includes, without limitation, a melt stream containing two at least layers, the layers in the melt stream being substantially parallel. Although the layered melt stream can have only two layers, the layered melt stream can have, and preferably has, a number of thin layers. When the layered melt stream is obtained from two materials, the melt stream contains, preferably, mainly alternating thin layers of two materials. The materials used to produce the layered melt flow are preferably polymers such as thermoplastics, including polyester, polyolefin, phenoxy type materials, and other materials described herein. The layer materials may also include mixtures of two or more materials. The layer materials may also contain additives such as nanoparticles, oxygen scavengers, UV absorbers, compatibilizers, and the like. In one embodiment, the layered melt stream comprises regenerated PET and a barrier material.

[0275] In one of the methods for producing a layered melt flow, a system is used similar to that described in several Schrenk patents, US Pat. , although the use of this method, as well as other methods for producing a layered melt flow is currently under consideration. On Fig schematically shows a variant of the system 482 to obtain a layered melt flow. The system of FIG. 27 shows one embodiment of a two-material system, but it should be understood that a system of three or more materials will work in the same way. The two materials that form the layers are placed in separate loading devices or inlets 484 and 485, from which two separate screw-type extruders 486 and 487 are fed, creating a combination of heating and pressure to turn the raw materials into melt. The extrusion of materials is carried out at speeds and thicknesses that provide the desired relative amount of each material and combined melt flows from the extruders forming two layers of the melt stream 488, containing layers from each cylinder, arranged preferably so that one layer lies on top of the other layer.

[0276] Two layers of the melt stream 488 exit the combined cylinders and then are preferably fed to the layer multiplier system 490. In the illustrated layer multiplier system 490, the two-layer melt stream 488 is converted to a multilayer melt stream 492 having 10 layers in the illustrated embodiment, like this shown in Fig. 27A. The image in Fig. 27A is schematic and somewhat ideal, since although the layers of the laminate are preferably on average substantially parallel to one another, the laminate may have layers that are not parallel to one another and / or the layers may be parallel in some places and not parallel in others.

[0277] Multiplication of the layers can be done in any of a number of ways. In one embodiment, the melt flow section is first divided into two parts perpendicular to the interface of these two layers. Then these two parts are flattened so that each of these two parts acquires approximately the same length as the original section before it was divided in the first stage, but only half the thickness of the original section. Then, the two parts are recombined into one part, which is similar in size to the original section, but consisting of four layers, by placing one part on top of the other part, so that the sublayers of the two materials are parallel to one another (i.e., folded in a direction perpendicular to the layers of the melt flow ) These steps of separating, flattening, and recombining the melt stream can be repeated several times to obtain thinner layers. You can multiply the melt flow by separating, flattening and recombining several times, obtaining a single melt flow, consisting of a number of sublayers of component materials. In this embodiment with two materials, the composition of the binder layers will interleave the two materials. Other methods for preparing the layers include the implementation of steps similar to the steps emphasized above, but with the flattening of the melt stream before separation or after recombination. Alternatively, in any of these options, the melt flow can be bent back onto itself, instead of dividing it into sections. Combinations of separation and bending can also be used, but it should be noted that bending and separation produce somewhat different results, since bending leads to doubling of one layer when it is rotated towards itself. The output of the layer multiplying system exits into an opening 494, such as a nozzle or valve, used to produce an article or a multicomponent layer in an article, such as when injected or placed into a layered melt stream.

[0278] In the shown embodiment with two materials, the composition of the layers is mainly alternated with two materials. However, in other embodiments, any suitable amount of materials can be combined into melt flow components and then fed to a layer multiplication system 490, producing a layered melt stream with any desired amount and / or size of repeating blocks or stacks of materials. For example, in one embodiment, system 482 comprises three extruders that simultaneously deliver material to a layer multiplier system 490. System 490 multiplication of layers can form a stack of layers obtained from three materials.

[0279] If the layered melt stream contains one or more materials having a gas barrier property, it will be preferable that the layered melt stream be used in such a way that it is oriented so that the layers of the melt stream are substantially parallel to one or more wide surfaces of the article. For example, the layers in the preform or container are preferably substantially parallel to the length of the wall section of the body portion. Although parallelism is preferred, other orientations may be used, which is within the scope of the present description. For example, one or more parts of the wall of the container may contain layers parallel to one another and the surface of the wall, while one or more other parts contains layers not parallel to one another. The desired winding path through the container wall is determined by the orientation and configuration of the layers from which the container is formed. For example, layers that are generally parallel to one another and wall sections can significantly increase the path length through the wall that the gas molecules pass through. Alternatively, the layers, usually parallel to one another and transverse to the wall, lead to a shorter or smaller tortuous path for the liquid through the wall and, thus, would have lower barrier properties than the same melt flow oriented in parallel.

[0280] The articles described here, such as containers and blanks, can be obtained using the exit of the layered melt stream from a system similar to that shown here. In some embodiments, the layered melt comprises materials having substantially the same melting point, T _m , for ease of processing and molding. However, the layered melt may contain materials having a substantially different T _m s. For example, the laminate may contain materials having T _m s in the range of about 500 ° F. The materials of the laminate are selected based on the thermal properties of the material, structural properties, barrier properties, rheological properties, processing properties and / or other properties. Layered melt can be obtained and cooled preferably before one or more of its components is significantly deteriorated. A knowledgeable specialist will be able to choose materials to obtain a layered material with the desired stability, suitable for processing characteristics and for the purpose of end use.

E. Methods and devices for obtaining preferred products

[0281] Single-layer and multi-layer products (including packaging, such as locking elements, blanks, containers, bottles) can be obtained by molding (for example, injection molding, including joint injection molding). One of the methods for producing multilayer products is referred to here mainly as reformatting, and sometimes as injection-reinjection (IPI). This name refers to a procedure in which injection molding is used to inject one or more layers of material into an existing layer, which is preferably obtained by injection molding. The terms “reinjection” and “reshaping” are used here to describe coating methods in which a layer of material is injected onto an existing layer or preform.

[0282] You can use coextrusion to place on the substrate (ie, on the bottom layer) one or more layers of material (s), such as materials containing PP, expandable foam material, PET (including regenerated PET), natural PET, layered material, barrier materials, combinations thereof and / or other materials described herein on a substrate (i.e., on a layer below). In some non-limiting embodiments, the substrate forms the inner surface of the extruded profile. The inner surface is preferably suitable for contact with food. In some embodiments, the profile substrate comprises PET (such as natural PET), a phenoxy type thermoplastic, combinations thereof and / or the like.

[0283] Products may contain one or more layers or parts having one or more of the following useful characteristics: an insulating layer, a barrier layer, a food contact layer, an unappetizing screening layer, a high strength layer, a flexible layer, a bonding layer, a gas absorption layer, a layer or a part suitable for use with hot filling, a layer having a melt resistance suitable for extrusion. In some embodiments, the single-layer or multi-layer material contains one or more of the following materials: PET (including regenerated and / or natural PET), PETG, foam, polypropylene, thermoplastics like phenoxy, polyolefins, mixtures of thermoplastics like phenoxy-polyolefins, nanocomposites and / or their combinations. For convenience, the products are described here mainly in relation to profiles, containers and locking elements.

[0284] In preferred embodiments, the formatted material may comprise two or more components, including a number of components, each of which has different processing intervals and / or physical properties. The components can be combined so that the formatted material has one or more desired characteristics. The proportions of the components can be varied, obtaining the desired processing intervals and / or physical properties. For example, the first material may have processing intervals similar or different from the processing intervals of the second material. Processing intervals can be selected, for example, by pressure, temperature, viscosity, and the like. The components of the formatted material can be mixed to achieve, for example, the desired pressure or temperature ranges for molding the material.

[0285] In one embodiment, the combination of the first material and the second material may result in a material having a processing interval more desirable than the processing interval of the second material. For example, the first material may be suitable for processing in a wide temperature range, and the second material may be suitable for processing in a narrow temperature range. A material having a part obtained from the first material and another part obtained from the second material may be suitable for processing in a temperature range wider than a narrow temperature range for processing the second material. In one embodiment, the processing interval of the multicomponent material is similar to the processing interval of the first material. Optionally, the amount of each component of the material may vary to obtain the desired processing interval. Optionally, the material may be combined to produce a formable material suitable for processing in the desired range of pressure, temperature, viscosity, and / or the like. For example, you can increase the proportion of a material having a more desirable processing interval, and reduce the proportion of a material having a less desirable processing interval, obtaining a material having a processing interval very similar or practically the same as the processing interval of the first material. Of course, if the desired processing interval is between the first processing interval of the first material and the second processing interval of the second material, the proportion of the first and second material can be selected to obtain the desired processing interval of the formatted material. Optionally, several materials having each similar or different processing intervals may be combined to obtain the desired processing interval for the final material.

[0286] In one embodiment, it is possible to change the rheological characteristics of the formatted material by changing one or more of its components having different rheological characteristics. In some non-limiting embodiments, a number of materials are processed, and two of at least one of these materials have processing intervals different from one another. For example, the first material may have a processing interval wider than the second material. However, when the materials are processed together, they can be processed in a processing interval longer than the processing interval of the second material, wherein the processing interval will preferably be similar to the processing interval of the first material. For example, a substrate (i.e., PP) may have higher resistance to melting and susceptibility to extrusion. PP can be combined with another material, such as PET, which has less resistance to melting, which makes it difficult for extrusion to obtain a material suitable for the extrusion process. For example, a PP layer or other durable material may support the PET layer during coextrusion (e.g., horizontal or vertical coextrusion). Thus, the formatted material obtained from PET and PP (including foam PP and non-foam PP) can be processed, for example, by coextrusion in the temperature range, usually suitable for PP and usually not suitable for PET. In some embodiments, a relatively thin layer of PET, regenerated PET, and / or a phenoxy type thermoplastic can be used.

[0287] In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about less than 90% of the product wall thickness, including also about less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20 %, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is approximately 90% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 50-100% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 70-100% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 90-100% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 20-80% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 30-70% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 40-60% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 1-50% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 1-30% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first material is about 1-10% of the product wall thickness. It should be understood that the first material can be any suitable wall thickness, including values that are higher, lower, inside, or overlapping the specific percentages and ranges indicated above, depending on the desired properties of the product.

[0288] In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is approximately less than 90% of the product wall thickness, including also approximately less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% , 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is approximately 90% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 50-100% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 70-100% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 90-100% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 20-80% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 30-70% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 40-60% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 1-50% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 1-30% of the product wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second material is about 1-10% of the product wall thickness. It should be understood that the second material can be any suitable wall thickness, including values that are higher, lower, inside, or overlapping the specific percentages and ranges indicated above, depending on the desired properties of the product.

[0289] In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer comprises a first material and the second layer contains a second material. In some embodiments, additional layers may be provided. In some embodiments, the total wall thickness of the extruded blown container is about 10 to 80 mils (0.25 to 2 mm). In another embodiment, the total wall thickness may be approximately less than 10 mils (0.25 mm) or more than 80 mils (2 mm). In some embodiments, the total wall thickness may be from about 30 to 40 mils (0.76 to 1 mm). In some embodiments, the total wall thickness may be from about 40 to 60 mils (1 to 1.5 mm). In some embodiments, the total wall thickness may be from about 35 to 50 mils (0.9 to 1.25 mm).

[0290] In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer is an inner layer. In other embodiments, the first layer may be an outer layer and / or an intermediate layer. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer of the extruded blown container is about 1 to 15 mils (0.025 to 0.4 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer may be approximately less than 1 mils (0.025 mm) or more than 15 mils (0.4 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer may be from about 2 to 10 mils (0.05 to 0.25 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer may be about 5 to 7.5 mils (0.1 to 0.2 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer may be about 2 mils (0.05 mm), 5 mils (0.1 mm), 7.5 mils (0.2 mm), 10 mils (0.25 mm) and be in the intervals covering these thicknesses. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer is preferably about 1 to 25% of the total wall thickness of the extruded blown container. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer is preferably about 4 to 22% of the total wall thickness of the extruded, blown container. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first layer may be about 4%, 6%, 10%, 14%, 20%, 25%, and ranges that cover these percentages of the total wall thickness of the extruded blown container.

[0291] In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer is an outer layer. In other embodiments, the second layer may be an inner layer and / or an intermediate layer. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer of the extruded blown container is about 5 to 60 mils (0.1 to 1.5 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer may be approximately less than 5 mils (0.1 mm) or more than 60 mils (1.5 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer is about 20 to 50 mils (0.5 to 1.25 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer is about 25 to 35 mils (0.6 to 0.9 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer is about 35 to 50 mils (0.9 to 1.25 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer is about 26 mils (0.6 mm), 29 mils (0.7 mm), 32 mils (0.8 mm), 37 mils (0.9 mm), 43 mils ( 1.1 mm), 47.5 mils (1.2 mm) and is in intervals including these thicknesses. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer is preferably between about 70% and 99% of the thickness of the total thickness of the extruded, blown container. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer is preferably between about 74% and 95% of the thickness of the total thickness of the extruded, blown container. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second layer may be approximately 75%, 84%, 87%, 93%, 95% and be in the ranges covering these percentages of the total thickness of the extruded blown container.

[0292] In some non-limiting embodiments, there is a third layer. In some embodiments, the third layer comprises a third material. In one embodiment, the third layer is an intermediate layer. In other embodiments, the third layer may be an inner layer or an outer layer. In some embodiments, the third layer may be a bonding layer or an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer of the extruded blown container is approximately 0.25 to 3 mils (0.006 to 0.08 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer may be approximately less than 9.25 mils (0.006 mm) or more than 3 mils (0.08 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer is about 0.5 to 2.5 mils (0.01 to 0.06 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer is about 0.75 to 1.5 mils (0.02 to 0.04 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer may be about 0.5 mils (0.01 mm), 0.75 mils (0.02 mm), 1.5 mils (0.04 mm), or 2.5 mils ( 0.06 mm). In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer is preferably between about 0.25% and 10% of the total wall thickness of the extruded blown container. In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer is preferably between about 1% and 5% of the total wall thickness of the extruded blown container. In some embodiments, the thickness of the third layer may be approximately 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and be in the ranges covering these percentages of the total thickness of the extruded blown container.

[0293] For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the extruded, blown container having a total wall thickness of about 50 mils (1.25 mm) comprises a first inner layer having a thickness of about 2 mils (0.05 mm), a second outer layer, having a thickness of about 47.5 mils (1.2 mm), and a third intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 0.5 mils (0.01 mm). In some embodiments, the second layer may contain one or more materials, such as, for example, PET, PP, and foam. In another, non-limiting embodiment, the extruded blown container having a total wall thickness of about 50 mils (1.25 mm) comprises a first inner layer having a thickness of about 5 mils (0.1 mm), and a second outer layer having a thickness of about 43 , 5 mils (1.1 mm), and a third intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 1.5 mils (0.04 mm). In another, non-limiting embodiment, the extruded blown container having a total wall thickness of about 50 mils (1.25 mm) comprises a first inner layer having a thickness of about 10 mils (0.25 mm), and a second outer layer having a thickness of about 37 , 5 mils (0.9 mm), and a third intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 2.5 mils (0.06 mm).

[0294] In another, non-limiting embodiment, an extruded blown container having a total wall thickness of about 35 mils (0.9 mm), comprises a first inner layer having a thickness of about 2 mils (0.05 mm), a second outer layer having a thickness of about 32 mils (0.8 mm), and a third intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 0.5 mils (0.01 mm). In another, non-limiting embodiment, the extruded blown container having a total wall thickness of about 35 mils (0.9 mm) comprises a first inner layer having a thickness of about 5 mils (0.12 mm), and a second outer layer having a thickness of about 29 mils (0.7 mm), and a third intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 0.7 mils (0.02 mm). In another, non-limiting embodiment, the extruded blown container having a total wall thickness of about 35 mils (0.9 mm) comprises a first inner layer having a thickness of about 7.5 mils (0.2 mm), and a second outer layer having a thickness about 26 mils, and a third intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 1.5 mils (0.4 mm).

[0295] In some embodiments, additional layers may be added. Variants having a different number of layers can have different thicknesses and percentages compared to those described above. For example, in some embodiments, a fourth layer, for example, a regenerated layer, may be added between the third layer and the second layer. In addition, in some embodiments, a fifth layer, for example, another bonding layer, may be added between the fourth layer and the second layer. Adding layers can affect the thickness of other layers. It can affect the relative thickness of the individual layers as a percentage of the total wall thickness of the extruded blown bottle. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, an extruded blown container having a total wall thickness of about 50 mils (1.25 mm) comprises a first inner layer having a thickness of about 2 mils (0.05 mm), a second outer layer, having a thickness of about 17 mils (0.4 mm), a third intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 0.5 mils (0.01 mm), a fourth intermediate regenerated layer having a thickness of about 30 mils (0.7 mm), and a fifth an intermediate binder layer having a thickness of about 0.5 mils (0.01 mm). The extruded blown container may have any suitable number of layers. For example, the container may contain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more layers. The layers may have any suitable thickness.

[0296] In some of the embodiments described herein, the first layer has a first thickness, the second layer has a second thickness, usually greater than the thickness of the first layer, and the third layer has a third thickness, usually less than the thickness of the first layer. However, in other embodiments, the thickness of the second layer may be less than or equal to the thickness of the first layer, and / or the thickness of the third layer may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the first layer. In some embodiments having many layers, the difference in layer thickness may not be as large as the difference in layer thickness when using a limited number of layers. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to increase or decrease the thickness of the layers based on the desired properties described herein.

[0297] It should be understood that in some embodiments, the products can be obtained by any suitable method, including, but not limited to, (1) immersion coating, (2) spray coating, (3) flame spraying, (4) liquid immersion bath, (5) electrostatic powder spraying, (6) re-molding (e.g. injection-re-injection) and / or (7) injection molding (including co-injection). For example, preferred methods and devices for implementing these methods are described in US Pat. No. 6,352,426 and US Patent Publication No. 2004-0071885, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety and form part of the present description. It is also understood that these methods and devices can be used to obtain the other products described here. In some embodiments, the profiles described herein can be blown using the methods and devices described in the references included in the present description by reference to them.

1. Methods and devices for obtaining profiles

[0298] As described below in the following embodiments, for example, as shown in FIGS. 28, 30, profiles containing a single layer or a multilayer material can be obtained using an extruder. In some embodiments, the extruder may coextrude a number of layers to form a multilayer material. In some embodiments, the polymer raw materials, preferably polymer granules, can be fed to an extruder using one or more screw-type devices that mix and compress the raw material. The extruder is heated and a combination of heat and pressure turns the raw material into fused plastic. At the outlet end of the extruder, the fused plastic is forced through the die, more specifically between the outer die and the center die insert, and a profile is obtained. To obtain a profile, you can use any type of extruder. For example, extruders and extrusion methods are also described in US Pat. No. 6,109.006 and in US Patent Application No. 10 / 168.496 (Publication No. 2003-0220036), which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0299] In some embodiments, the extruded profile may be extruded to form an article, such as a container, bottle, can, tube or other extruded article, as will be described below. In some embodiments, the profile is extruded and then blown out. In some embodiments, the profile is extruded, removed from the extruder, and then blown out later. In some embodiments, the profile is extruded and subjected to further processing without blowing. In some embodiments, the profile may form a conduit or pipe, with or without blowing, as described hereinafter. In some embodiments, the profile may form a container, with or without blowing, as described hereinafter. In one embodiment, a can can be obtained from the extruded profile, with or without blowing. In some embodiments, the profile may form a locking element, with or without blowing, as described hereinafter.

[0300] For example, in one embodiment, the profile may be a cylindrical sleeve obtained from an extruder. You can get sleeves of any suitable shape, for example, rectangular sleeves, triangular sleeves, etc. In one embodiment, a cylindrical sleeve can be obtained from the extruder and attached to the holder. In another embodiment, the extruder and the mold are configured such that the profile is extruded and then blown almost immediately without removing the profile from the extruder, as described below.

2. Methods and devices for blowing containers

[0301] In one embodiment, an extruded profile comprising a single layer or coextruded laminate may be blown out to form a single layer or multi-layer container. The mold in the open position preferably consists of two halves. A profile containing extruded material is placed between the halves of the mold. After the profile is placed in an open form, half of the form is moved to the closed position. The profile passes through the mold cavity and exits the bottom of the mold. The lower parts of the halves of the form bend the lower part of the profile. The upper parts of the halves of the mold similarly bend the upper part of the profile. The profile may be blown into container 37A. as shown in FIG. 4A. The container 37A is similar to the container 37 shown in FIG. 4, except that the bottom of the container is substantially flat. The container 37A has many of the features and advantages described above with respect to the container 37, except as noted here. In some embodiments, the profile may be blown into any suitable container, such as a bottle, can.

[0302] The profile may be placed in a mold having a cavity corresponding to the shape of the desired container. The profile is extruded and then expanded, stretching the profile by filling the cavity inside the mold, thereby obtaining a container. Filling may be accompanied, for example, by forcing air into the interior of the profile. Before stretching the profile, it is supported, preferably in the range of the blowing temperature. Air is directed into the interior of the profile to expand the profile to the desired shape of the container 37A. The material of the profile expands when exposed to the profile, leading to the expansion and molding of it into the desired shape.

[0303] In some embodiments, the temperature of the mold walls can be controlled. In one embodiment, the mold has a wall temperature control system. The temperature control system may have heating / cooling channels or any suitable system for effectively controlling the temperature of the walls. In one embodiment, for example, the walls are heated during the blowing of the profile. The mold walls may then be cooled to facilitate solidification of the container. The walls can be heated during one or more parts, and cooled during one or more production cycles. Preferably, the walls can be heated during the first part and cooled during the second part of the blowing process. However, the walls may be heated and / or cooled at any suitable time during blowing.

[0304] The walls of the mold may be surface-treated or structured to achieve the desired reaction in the blowing process, which may give a textured surface to the container. For example, the surface of the walls may be coarse or sandy, so that when the outer surface of the container contacts the wall during blowing, the outer surface of the container will get a textured surface. The surface of the mold wall may be subjected to any treatment to achieve a suitable structure of the outer surface of the container. In another embodiment, for example, the mold wall may have a texture with reduced friction when exposed to steam to more easily release the container from the mold. The reduced friction texture may have a significantly smoother surface to facilitate the release of the container.

[0305] As discussed herein, in some embodiments, one or more delivery systems can be used to transport profiles to a blow mold, or bottles from it. For example, the delivery system may comprise a reciprocating system (e.g., a linear or circular reciprocating system) for transporting profiles and / or bottles to and / or from a mold. Alternatively, the delivery system may comprise a reciprocating and / or carousel delivery system. In some embodiments, a carousel delivery system is used to more quickly deliver profiles to the mold or remove bottles from it. It is fortunate that the carousel delivery system can continuously transport products to and from the mold, thereby increasing yield. It should be understood that the delivery system can be used in combination with a molding machine suitable for blowing profiles, extrusion blowing, extrusion of profiles and the like. In addition, the delivery system may include a number of systems, such as a carousel delivery system and a reciprocating delivery system, interacting in the delivery of products.

3. Methods and devices for obtaining preferred products

[0306] Using the modified devices described above, various products, such as profiles and containers, which may contain the materials described herein, can be obtained. In addition to the options described above, some non-limiting products are described below.

but. Products containing layers of foam and / or polypropylene

[0307] In some embodiments, the articles may contain foam material. Foam material can be obtained by a combination of a foam agent and a carrier material. In one embodiment, the carrier material and the foam agent are coextruded into a preferably substantially homogeneous mixture of foam material. The amount of carrier material and foam agent can be varied depending on the desired value of one or more of the following parameters: expansion properties, structural properties, thermal properties, supply pressure, and the like. In some non-limiting embodiments, the expandable / foam material is about less than 10% by weight, including also less than about 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% and 1% by weight of foam agent. In some non-limiting embodiments, the expandable / foam material contains about 1-6% by weight of the foam agent. In another non-limiting embodiment, the expandable / foam material contains about 3-6% by weight of the foam agent. In another non-limiting embodiment, the expandable / foam material contains about 2-8% by weight of the foam agent. It should be understood that the expandable / foam material may contain any suitable amount of foam agent, including amounts greater and less than the above specific percent, depending on the desired properties of the foam material.

[0308] In some embodiments, a carrier material (eg, polypropylene granules) and a foam agent in the form of microspheres, preferably EXPANCEL® microspheres or the like, are fed to a hopper. The support material and microspheres are heated until the support material melts to effectively mix the materials. When heated, the mixture of microspheres can expand or lengthen. The temperature of the mixture is preferably in a temperature range that does not lead to complete expansion or rupture of the main part of the microspheres. For example, if the temperature of the mixture reaches a sufficiently high temperature, the gas inside the microspheres can expand, breaking or destroying the microspheres. The molten foam material can be coextruded and rapidly cooled to limit the number of expanding microspheres.

[0309] When the foam material is heated for processing (eg, extrusion, injection, etc.), according to one embodiment, the microspheres can partially expand from their original, usually not expanded position. When such microspheres are partially expanded, they retain the ability to undergo further expansion with increasing size of the microspheres. The pressure and temperature are preferably maintained such that the microspheres do not fully expand during extrusion, allowing further expansion of the microspheres, for example, during blowing. In addition, it is possible to increase the pressure of the foam material to reduce, or substantially prevent, the expansion of the microspheres. In this case, you can change the pressure and temperature of the foam material, obtaining the desired magnitude of the expansion of the microspheres. Partially expanded microspheres can undergo further expansion upon reheating (for example, during a blow cycle), as described herein.

[0310] In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises one or more foam layers. In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises one or more layers containing polypropylene. In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises a layer of foam and / or polypropylene and a layer of PET. In another embodiment, the profile comprises a layer of foam and / or polypropylene and a layer suitable for contact with food products. In one embodiment, the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferably an outer layer. In one embodiment, the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferably an inner layer. In one embodiment, the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferably an intermediate layer. In other embodiments, the polypropylene may be replaced with other thermoplastics.

[0311] For example, in one embodiment, the profile has a single layer containing foam. Foam material may not be expanded, partially expanded and / or fully expanded. For example, the extruder may issue a profile containing foam material, which can then be expanded in a subsequent process, such as a heating process. In some embodiments, the carrier material and the foam agent are extruded together for the purpose of, preferably, a substantially homogeneous mixture of foam material. The amount of carrier material and foam agent may vary depending on the desired value of one or more of the following parameters: expansion properties, structural properties, thermal properties, supply pressure, and the like.

[0312] In another embodiment, the profile comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may be made or contain a substrate having a melt resistance suitable for extrusion. The second layer may have a resistance to melting, usually not suitable for extrusion alone. When co-processed, the first and second layers can be extruded together. For example, in one embodiment, the first layer or substrate of the profile may contain foam and / or polypropylene, and the second layer may contain natural PET. In one embodiment, the first layer is an outer or intermediate layer, and the second layer is an inner layer. In one embodiment, the first layer is the inner layer, and the second layer is the outer or intermediate layer. Preferably, the first and second layers can be coextruded from the extruder.

[0313] In some embodiments, the profile comprises a first layer or substrate obtained from a material having a first melt resistance and a second layer obtained from a material having a second melt resistance less than the first melt resistance. In one non-limiting embodiment, the second layer may have a thickness substantially less than the thickness of the first layer. In one non-limiting embodiment, the wall thickness of the second layer is less than approximately 200% of the wall thickness of the first layer. In one non-limiting embodiment, the wall thickness of the second layer is less than about 30% of the wall thickness of the first layer. In one non-limiting embodiment, the wall thickness of the second layer is approximately 20 to 70% of the wall thickness of the first layer. In another, non-limiting embodiment, the wall thickness of the second layer is approximately 40 to 60% of the wall thickness of the first layer. The wall thicknesses of the first layer and the second layer can be selected based on their resistance to melting, so that they can be extruded together. The first layer can provide sufficient support for the second layer during co-extrusion in a temperature range typically not suitable for the second material. In one embodiment, the second layer may form an inner profile layer and comprise PET. The first layer may form the outer layer of the profile and contain polypropylene and / or foam material.

[0314] The first layer and the second layer can be coextruded from the extruder 640 and then blown to form, for example, containers. Optionally, the second layer may be the outer layer, and the first layer may be the inner layer. In another embodiment, the extruded material profile can be used to produce pipelines or pipes configured to deliver drinking liquids. For example, a profile may be extruded from an extruder 640 to form a conduit 402.

[0315] As shown in FIGS. 28-29, in some embodiments, when the profile 600 is in the open mold 628, the halves of the mold 629, 631 can be moved to the closed position. In the depicted embodiment, the profile passes through the cavity of the mold 628 to the outside from the bottom of the mold 628, the lower parts 637A, 639A of the halves of the mold 629, 631, respectively, can similarly capture the upper parts of the profile. The profile may be blown into the container 37A in the same manner as described above. In some embodiments, the profile may be removed from the extruder and then formed into a container.

[0316] Profile 600 may be a single or multi-layer profile formed by extrusion or coextrusion. In one embodiment, the foam material can be rapidly chilled or cooled to limit expansion of the foam agent, which can shorten cycle times and increase productivity. In one embodiment, the back pressure of the melt is not large enough to cause the destruction of the foam agent in the form of microspheres. However, this back pressure will prevent over-expansion of the microspheres, allowing you to blow the profile in the desired shape and / or allowing further expansion of the microspheres.

[0317] The melt temperature can be varied depending on the back pressure of the melt. For example, a high melt temperature can lead to expansion of the microspheres. To suppress or prevent the expansion of microspheres, back pressure may be increased to balance the increased pressure within each microsphere. However, if the melt pressure is too high, the microspheres may break or collapse. Therefore, the melt pressure is preferably maintained in such a range that the bulk of the microspheres is not fully expanded or broken. In another embodiment, however, some or all of the spheres may be destroyed when fully expanded upon the formation of foam.

[0318] In one embodiment, the melt may be subjected to at least partial expansion before it is extruded. For example, after the desired portion of the melt has been extruded, the extruder screw may be drawn in to collect the melt for the next portion. Upon returning, the pressure can be relieved from the worm, which will reduce the melt pressure, providing controlled expansion of the microspheres in the melt. In one embodiment, the melt is not under pressure, so that the microspheres can expand freely. However, pressure can be applied to the melt to selectively control the expansion of the microspheres. Accordingly, the microspheres in the melt can be partially or fully expanded before the melt is extruded. Preferably, the microspheres are in an expanding state, so that the microspheres can undergo further expansion during, for example, preheating before blowing. The expanded microsphere melt can be extruded to form a profile having the expanded microspheres. A profile having expanded microspheres can then be molded into a container with uniformly, generally distributed microspheres.

[0319] The area surrounding the extruded profile may be heated to obtain a uniform, generally, distribution of microspheres in the profile. Heating can lead to a uniform, mainly expansion of the foam material. In one embodiment, the melt contains polypropylene and microspheres and is extruded into a heated region, which may be at a temperature of about 100 ° F to 250 ° F. The heating of the region allows the microspheres to be distributed evenly over the profile. In another embodiment, the region is maintained at a temperature of about 150 ° F to 225 ° F. In yet another embodiment, the area can be maintained at a temperature of about 200 ° F. The area can be cooled at any suitable time to obtain the desired distribution of microspheres. In another embodiment, the melt contains polyethylene and microspheres. The region may be at a temperature of from about 75 ° F to 125 ° F to obtain a workpiece with preferably evenly distributed microspheres. A profile having uniformly distributed microspheres can then be formed into a container, which in turn has uniformly distributed microspheres. The above temperatures are dependent on the particular materials used and can be adjusted depending on the materials used.

[0320] The rate of transmission of the melt through the extruder can lead to friction heating and thereby to the expansion of the microspheres. In some embodiments, materials with high thermal conductivity can be used to quickly cool the melt passing through the extruder into the region that inhibits the expansion of microspheres. At the same time, operating parameters (for example, speed, pressure, temperature, mixture proportions, viscosity and the like) may vary depending on the shape, size and other characteristics of the extruder.

[0321] In some embodiments, a portion of at least the profile expands, forming foam material as it exits the extruder head. The operating pressure (for example, in the melt delivery system, in the environment, etc.) should be sufficient to control the expansion of the microspheres. In some embodiments, this pressure may be atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, this pressure may be maintained at a level greater or less than atmospheric pressure.

[0322] Profile 600 may be deflated to form container 37A as shown in FIG. 4A. Before stretching the profile 600, it is preferably in the range of blowing temperatures to allow blowing. In one embodiment, the single-layer or multi-layer profile 600 may be in the range of temperature blowing to ensure blowing. If the blowing temperature reaches the expansion temperature range, for example, is between about 100 and 300 ° C, the microspheres can expand. This temperature range can be used for the melting process. In some embodiments, the expansion temperature range may be about 100-200 ° C for extrusion blowing. For example, microspheres can expand while in the melt delivery system, passing through the head, or at any other suitable time during processing. The range of expansion temperatures can be reached before, during or after stretching the profile 600. Preferably, the microspheres of the profile 600 are heated to the range of their expansion temperatures to cause a partial, but at least expansion of the microspheres before blowing the profile 600.

[0323] After increasing the temperature of the profile to the range of blowing temperatures, air is passed into the interior of the profile 600 to expand the profile into a container 37A of the desired shape. In one embodiment, the expansion temperature range is generally similar to the blowing temperature range, so that the microspheres can expand during heating to blow. Foam material expands when air is injected into the profile to stretch and shape it into the desired shape. In another embodiment, the profile 600 may be blown out as desired, and then the temperature of the container 37A may reach the expansion temperature range to cause the foam material of the container 37A to expand. To increase the expansion rate of the microspheres, the temperature during the blowing cycle can be increased and / or the blowing pressure can be lowered. To lower the expansion rate of the microspheres, the temperature during the blowing cycle can be lowered and / or the blowing pressure can be increased.

[0324] In one embodiment, the temperature of the walls 633 of mold 628 may be adjusted to achieve the desired expansion of the foam material of profile 600. In one embodiment, for example, the walls 633 are heated to expand the microspheres of the container 37. After blowing the profile 600 into the container 37A, heated walls 633 continues to expand located in the walls of the microspheres, thereby reducing the density of the walls. Thus, the microspheres in the walls of the container 37A can expand or expand, providing a more efficient thermal barrier due to the greatly expanded microspheres.

[0325] Walls 633 of form 628 can be cooled to slow down or prevent the expansion of microspheres. Walls 633 may be heated during a heating cycle to facilitate expansion of the microspheres, as described above. After the microspheres have expanded to the desired degree, the mold walls 633 are preferably cooled to reduce or, preferably, stop further expansion of the microspheres. While the walls 633 can be heated during the first part and cooled during the second part of the blowing process. However, walls 633 may be heated and / or cooled at any suitable time during the blowing process. For example, in another embodiment, walls 633 of mold 628 are cooled while stretching profile 600 from its original position into the shape of the desired container. The profile 600 can be blown and stretched while the walls of the profile are in contact with the cooled walls 633. Preferably, the foam material forming the profile 600 undergoes local expansion (eg, expansion of microspheres) when the profile is stretched. When the profile 600 is in thermal contact with the walls 633, heat is transferred from the stretch profile 600 to the mold 628, and the walls of the formed profile are cooled. Upon cooling of the profile 600, the expansion of the microspheres decreases or stops. Pressure in the form of 628 may be increased to reduce the rate of expansion of the microspheres. Pressure in the form of 628 may be reduced to increase the rate of expansion of the microspheres.

[0326] Walls 633 of form 628 may have a surface treatment or structure to achieve the desired foam reaction during the blowing process, resulting in a textured surface on container 37A. For example, the surface of the walls 633 may be rough or rough, so that when the outer surface of the container 37A comes into contact with the wall 633 during the blowing process, the outer surface of the container 37A gets a textured foam surface. The textured surface of the wall 633 facilitates the further expansion of the microspheres after at least a portion of the container comes into contact with the walls 633 of the mold 628. However, the surface of the wall 633 may have any treatment to achieve a suitable outer surface structure of the container 37A,

[0327] In some embodiments, profile 600 may have multiple layers. In one example, profile 600 may have an inner layer containing primarily PET, polypropylene, and / or a phenoxy type thermoplastic. The outer layer of profile 600 may contain a polymer (e.g., polypropylene, PET and / or ethylene acrylic acid) mixed with a foam agent (e.g. EXPANCEL® microspheres) to produce a foam material. Further, the extruded profile 600 can be obtained by any suitable method, including, but not limited to, (1) immersion coating, (2) spray coating, (3) flame spraying, (4) immersion in a liquid bath and / or (5 ) electrostatic powder spraying. Some methods and devices for implementing these methods are described in US patent No. 6.352.426 and US patent publication No. 2004-0071885, which in their entirety are included here by reference to them and form part of the present description. It should also be understood that these methods and devices can be used to obtain other products described here.

[0328] In another embodiment, profile 600 has an inner layer comprising PET and an outer layer consisting essentially or entirely of PP. Optionally, the outer layer may contain foam material. It is fortunate that the inner layer and the outer layer can be blown at processing intervals substantially wider than the processing intervals of profiles obtained exclusively from PP. Fortunately, the processing intervals can be increased regardless of the thickness of the inner layer and the outer layer. Optionally, a layer (e.g., a bonding layer) can be used to improve the bonding of the inner layer to the outer layer. In one embodiment, a bonding or reinforcing agent (for example, adhesive) forms a layer and provides a connection between the inner layer and the outer layer. Profile 600 may have several layers. One or more of these layers can be obtained in another way.

[0329] In one embodiment, the inner layer, obtained preferably from PET, and the carrier material of the foam layer can have a similar T _g , so that both layers can be processed at their preferred blowing temperature ranges. As discussed above, the expansion temperature range may be a temperature range causing expansion of the microspheres. The range of expansion temperatures may vary by changing the pressure applied to the foam material. Preferably, the expansion temperature range is similar or narrower than the layer blowing temperature range. During the blowing process, the profile temperature may be in the range of expansion temperatures, causing at least partial expansion of the microspheres. Moreover, the foam agent of the foam layer can expand (1) during re-heating of the profile for blowing, (2) during the stretching of the profile into the container, (3) after the container is mainly formed and / or (4) during combinations of these processes.

[0330] In another embodiment, a multilayer profile containing foam may be blown into a container having an inner layer suitable for contact with a liquid inside the container. For example, the profile or container may have an inner layer or coating, such as a silicon oxide plasma layer, suitable for use in contact with drinking liquids, food products and the like. The plasma layer can be applied to the container at any suitable time during the production of the containers. For example, a plasma layer may be superimposed on a profile or on a finished container. In another embodiment, the inner layer, suitable for contact with the liquid inside the container, contains PET and / or phenoxy type thermoplastic.

[0331] In some embodiments, the extruded product may comprise monolayer or multilayer foam materials that functionally provide insulating properties, as well as a suitable substrate for the printed label and a suitable adhesive surface. In some embodiments, the single-layer or multi-layer materials comprise closed-cell foam in a suitable polymer matrix, such as, for example, polypropylene. The diameter of the closed cells of the foam is preferably in the range from several microns to several hundred microns. In one embodiment, closed foam cells can be obtained by extrusion of a foam material using compressed gas in a melt stream. In another embodiment, the foam can be obtained by generating a combination of open and closed cells of the foam. In another embodiment, the foam can be obtained by expanding the additives to the closed cells of the foam, such as gas containing spheres of acrylonitrile, for example, those supplied by Expansel or Wellman Inc. for fiber applications. In some embodiments, microcellular foams can be obtained from PET, nylon and olefins with a cell diameter of about 1 to 2 microns; they provide weight savings and reduced thermal conductivity from about 1/2 to 1/10. Foam materials can be used in various applications and options, including, for example, the reciprocating carousel option and the create-fill-seal option. Foam materials can be introduced to improve insulation and / or weight loss. In addition, since the diameter of the closed cells of the foam decreases, the foam does not cause local damage (for example, when the radius of the cells is less than the radius of propagation of cracks), so that exposure to cold does not impair the properties of the product.

[0332] Although not shown, the foam material or layer may be applied to other containers. For example, the foam layer described herein may be applied to metal, ceramic, or glass, and to any other type of container, packaging, drinking supplies, and the like. For example, foam material can be used to create parts of packages. Foam material may provide, for example, an effective thermal barrier to parts of packages. Foam material can create single-layer or multi-layer sheets formed into containers (for example, soft bags or wrappers), labels, trays, protective layers for products and the like. For example, in one embodiment, a foam layer is applied to the outer surface of a metal (eg, aluminum) can, typically containing carbonated drinks. The surface (e.g., outer surface) of the container (e.g., can) may be coated with a foam layer to provide a thermal barrier to reduce temperature changes in the beverage in the container. Optionally, the foam material may be located between the layer of, for example, PET and the surface of the aluminum container.

b. Products containing phenoxy-type thermoplastic layers and / or phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastic mixtures

[0333] In some embodiments, a phenoxy type thermoplastic and / or a phenoxy polyolefin thermoplastic mixture is suitable for direct contact with food. In some embodiments, a phenoxy type material and / or a phenoxy mixture has excellent adhesive properties. In some embodiments, a phenoxy type material and / or a phenoxy mixture has good melting points. In some embodiments, a phenoxy-type material and / or a phenoxy mixture can be extruded to provide a layer or coating that successfully forms a barrier that provides excellent resistance to moisture and / or increases the stability of the product.

[0334] In some embodiments, a phenoxy-type material and / or a phenoxy mixture may be extruded (co-extruded) and blown into liquid containers also containing, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene and / or purified polypropylene, one or more of these materials. In some embodiments, this allows you to format the packaging for large liquid, both smooth and having handles. Additional advantages of some options include providing containers with tasteless layers, colorless layers and / or barrier layers, for example, an oxygen barrier. Additional advantages of some options include the presence of fully regenerated containers (both after industrial and individual consumption fields) that have clean packaging and / or have a FLA approval for contact with food.

[0335] In some embodiments, a phenoxy type material and / or a phenoxy mixture can be extruded (coextruded) and blown into liquid containers containing nanocomposites providing a convenient barrier. In some embodiments, the combination of a phenoxy-type material and / or a mixture of phenoxy and nanocomposites can improve the gas-barrier properties of a phenoxy-type material and / or a phenoxy mixture by 4-6 times. Nanocomposites can be in one or more of the inner layers, outer layers and intermediate layers. In some embodiments, nanocomposites and / or other barrier enhancers may be combined with one or more of the materials described herein in any one or more of the applications and / or variants described herein.

[0336] The use of materials such as phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy can be combined with oxygen scavengers to improve the barrier effect. In some embodiments, such a combination of materials such as phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy with nanocomposites and an oxygen scavenger can be effectively used as a liner for a shut-off element to remove oxygen from the head space. A phenoxy type material and / or a phenoxy mixture can be combined with polypropylene and / or polyethylene. In some embodiments, a phenoxy mixture used as a bonding layer can also facilitate the compatibility of pure phenoxy type inner layer when used in packages. In some embodiments, this also facilitates the reuse of industrial waste remaining after extrusion blowing and thermoforming processes.

[0337] In one embodiment, the extruded profile has one or more layers containing a phenoxy type thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the extruded profile has one or more layers containing a mixture of thermoplastics of phenoxy-polyolefins. In one embodiment, the extruded profile has a phenoxy type layer and / or a mixture of phenoxy and a natural PET layer and / or regenerated PET. In one embodiment, the extruded profile has a phenoxy type layer and / or a mixture of phenoxy and foam and / or a polypropylene layer. In another embodiment, the extruded profile has a phenoxy-type layer and / or phenoxy mixtures and a suitable outer layer. In one embodiment, the phenoxy type layer and / or the phenoxy mixture is an inner layer. In one embodiment, the phenoxy-type layer and / or the phenoxy mixture is an outer layer. In one embodiment, the phenoxy-type layer and / or the phenoxy mixture is an intermediate layer.

[0338] For example, as shown in FIGS. 30-31, a single or multi-layer profile containing materials such as phenoxy and / or phenoxy mixtures can be obtained from extruder 740. The extrusion method and extruder 740 may be similar to the methods and devices described herein , or described in US patent No. 6.109.006, which is incorporated here by reference to it and forms part of the present description. Form 728 has halves 729, 731 shown in the open position. The profile is located between the halves of form 729, 731. In one embodiment, the single layer profile comprises a layer of the phenoxy type and / or a mixture of phenoxy extruded and then blown to form a single layer phenoxy and / or mixture of a phenoxy container. In another embodiment, the profile comprises a first layer of phenoxy type material and / or a phenoxy mixture, and a second layer. For example, the profile may contain PETG and an adhesive or bonding layer that can bond the first and second layers together. The multilayer profile can then be blown out, forming, as described here, a multilayer container. In one embodiment, the profile comprises an inner layer of a material such as phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy suitable for contact with food products. In another embodiment, the profile comprises an intermediate or outer layer of a material such as phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy, and an inner layer suitable for contact with food products.

[0339] In one embodiment, the profile comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may be a substrate, or may contain a substrate having a melt resistance suitable for extrusion. The second layer may have a resistance to melting, usually not suitable for extrusion during processing alone. In joint processing, the first and second layers can be extruded together. For example, in one embodiment, the first layer or substrate of the profile may comprise a material such as phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy, and the second layer may comprise PET, for example, regenerated or natural PET. In one embodiment, the first layer is the inner layer, and the second layer is the outer or intermediate layer. In one embodiment, the first layer is an outer or intermediate layer, and the second layer is an inner layer. The first and second layers can preferably be coextruded from the extruder and then blown as described herein. In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the phenoxy type material and / or the phenoxy mixture is substantially less than the wall thickness of the PET layer.

[0340] The first layer and the second layer can be coextruded from the extruder 740 and then blown into, for example, containers. Containers can be mostly soft or hard. In addition, some parts of the containers may be soft, while other parts of the containers may be rigid. Optionally, the first layer may be the outer layer, and the second layer may be the inner layer. In another embodiment, the extruded material or profile can be used to obtain pipelines or pipes for the delivery of drinking liquids. For example, the profile may be extruded from the extruder 740 into conduit 402.

from. Products containing layers of regenerated and / or refined materials

[0341] In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises one or more layers containing regenerated material. In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises one or more layers containing refined material.

[0342] In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises a natural PET layer and a regenerated PET layer, while the regrind layer contains one or more of phenoxy type materials, phenoxy blend materials, natural PET waste material, previously regenerated PET material, PETG material, foam material, polypropylene material, barrier material and a binder.

[0343] In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises a phenoxy type layer and / or a phenoxy mixture and a regenerated PET layer. In one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises a phenoxy type layer and / or a phenoxy mixture (e.g., phenoxy mixed with a polyolefin) and a micronized layer, the micronized layer containing one or more of a phenoxy type material, a phenoxy mixture material, waste natural PET material, previously regenerated PET material, PETG material, foam material, polypropylene material, barrier material and a binder.

[0344] In another embodiment, the extruded profile comprises a regenerated layer and / or a micronized layer and an inner layer suitable for contact with food products. In one embodiment, the regenerated layer and / or the refined layer is an outer layer. In one embodiment, the regenerated layer and / or the refined layer is an inner layer. In one embodiment, the regenerated layer and / or the regrind layer is an intermediate layer.

[0345] For example, as shown in FIGS. 28-31, a single or multi-layer profile may be formed by an extruder. An extruded profile comprising a single layer or coextruded multilayer material may be blown out to form a single layer or multilayer container. After the profile enters the open form, the halves of the form are shifted to the closed position. The profile passes through the mold cavity and exits the bottom of the mold. The lower parts of the halves of the form capture the lower part of the profile. The lower part of the profile extending beyond the capture area is waste. In some embodiments, the waste is discarded. However, in some embodiments, the waste is regenerated or crushed for future use.

[0346] For example, in one embodiment, the extruded profile comprises an inner layer of natural PET and / or a phenoxy type thermoplastic and a regenerated and / or refined outer or intermediate layer. The inner and outer layers can be coextruded together with the outer or intermediate binder layer and / or barrier layer. When I close the form on the profile, part of the waste beyond the breakage site can be removed. Waste contains a number of layers of materials. The multilayer waste material can be pulverized and fed back to the same extruder, or to another extruder, to obtain a regenerated or refined outer or intermediate layer of the next formed container. Accordingly, the waste material that is typically discarded can be used to produce products, limiting losses and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0347] In one embodiment, regrinding involves the functionalization of a material, such as, for example, thermoplastic, such as polypropylene, modified or grafted with polar groups, such as maleic anhydride, epoxy, etc. Functionalized regrind layer can facilitate cleaning and bonding.

d. Products containing a heat insulating layer

[0348] The products described herein may contain one or more heat-resistant materials. As used herein, the term “heat-resistant materials” is broadly used in its usual sense and includes, without limitation, materials suitable for hot or warm applications. For example, a heat resistant material may include a material with high heat resistance, characterized by spatial stability during hot filling. A heat resistant material may include a medium heat resistant material characterized by spatial stability during hot filling. Heat resistant materials may include polypropylene, crystalline material, polyester and the like. In some embodiments, the heat resistant material has greater dimensional stability upon heating than amorphous PET. The heat resistant material may form part of the product (for example, one or more layers of a profile, blank, sheet, and other products described herein).

[0349] In one embodiment, the extruded container comprises an inner layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester, an outer layer comprising a thermoplastic material (eg, a heat-resistant polymer material) having greater heat resistance than heat resistance of a thermoplastic polyester of the inner layer, and an intermediate bonding layer for bonding the inner layer and the outer layer, the layers being coextruded before blowing. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic polyester of the inner layer is PET, which may further comprise at least one oxygen removal component and a passive barrier material mixed with the thermoplastic polyester. In one embodiment, the passive barrier material is a polyamide, such as MXD 6.

[0350] Preferably, the oxygen removal component is a dispersed, unsaturated olefin material in PET and a transition metal catalyst. The oxygen removal component is preferably present in an amount of about 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, and most preferably 1 to 5% by weight of the total weight of the internal layer. Alternatively, a commercially available oxygen removal component may be used.

[0351] Preferably, the passive barrier material is present in an amount of about 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, and most preferably 1 to 5% by weight of the total weight of the inner layer.

[0352] In one embodiment, the thermoplastic material of the outer layer is polypropylene, preferably purified polypropylene. In one embodiment, the outer layer is foamed, like a foam agent and / or a reaction product of a foam agent. Useful foam agents include, but are not limited to, azobisformamide, azobisisobutilonitrile, diazoaminobenzene, N, N dimethyl N5N dinitroso terephthalamide, N3N dinitrosopentamethylene tetramine, benzensulfonyl hydrazide, benzene 1,3 disulfonyl hydrazide 4, diphenyl 3, diphenyl, diphenyl, 3-diphenyl oxybis benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, p toluene sulfonyl semicarbiside, barium azodicarboxylate, butylamine nitrile, nitrourea, trihydrazino triazine, phenyl methyl urea, p sulfonyl drazide, peroxides, ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

[0353] The foam agent is preferably present in the thermoplastic material in an amount of about 1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 1 to 10% by weight, and most preferably 1 to 5% by weight, of the weight of the outer layer .

[0354] The intermediate binder layer, if present, may contain a thermoplastic adhesive, such as a dispersed unsaturated olefin material in PET and, as in the inner and outer layers, a transition metal catalyst. Further, it may contain at least one oxygen scavenger and a passive barrier material. Preferably, the inner layer has a thickness less than the thickness of one at least the intermediate binder layer and the outer layer.

[0355] In one embodiment, the method comprises coextruding a number of thermoplastic materials to form a multilayer pipe, placing a segment of at least the multilayer pipe in a blow mold, and blowing the multilayer pipe to form an extruded container. The outer layer may be foam, such as by mixing a foam agent with a thermoplastic outer layer before or during extrusion.

[0356] One embodiment relates to a method for extruding blowing containers having the organoleptic and gas barrier properties of thermoplastic polyesters and the heat resistance of thermoplastics such as polypropylene and random copolymers of polypropylene, with or without the addition of cleaning or nucleating agents, which are preferably foam , and to the containers themselves obtained in this way. In one embodiment, the method comprises coextrusion of a pipe containing at least three layers using coextrusion methods well known in the art. The coextruded pipe contains an inner layer of a thermoplastic polyester, such as PET, an outer layer of a heat-resistant thermoplastic, such as polypropylene, and an intermediate bonding layer that provides the bonding necessary to hold together the inner and outer layers.

[0357] The inner polyethylene layer, preferably natural PET, but possibly any thermoplastic polyester approved by the PLA for contact with food or beverages intended for human consumption, preferably has a thickness less than the combined thickness of the binder layer and the outer layer of heat-resistant thermoplastic, and more preferably, has a thickness less than at least the thickness of the binder or outer layer. Most preferably, the inner layer has a thickness less than the thickness of both the binder and the outer layer. The binder layer is preferably a polymer having functional groups, such as anhydrides and epoxides, reacting with carboxyl and / or hydroxyl groups in the PET polymer chains. Useful polymer materials include DuPont BYNEL® binder resins, Mitsui ADMER® binder resins, Eastman's EPOLINE brand materials, Arkema's LOTADER brand materials, and ExxonMobil's EVELOY® brand materials. These materials can be used as a separate binder layer or in a mixture with each or both of the inner polyester and outer thermoplastic layers, obtaining a two-layer structure.

[0358] For example, for a container according to a preferred embodiment having a volume of about 150 to 2000 ml, this part of the extruded multilayer pipe used to blow the container has a length of about 100 to 762 mm (3.9 to 30 inches) . The inner layer of natural PET has a thickness of about 0.02 to 0.25 mm (1 mil to 10 mil). The outer layer of foam polypropylene has a thickness of from about 0.08 to 1.27 mm (3 mils to 50 mils). Finally, the ADMER® adhesive adhesive intermediate layer has a thickness of about 0.013 to 0.127 mm (0.5 mil to 5 mil).

[0359] As is understood by those skilled in the art, the number of extruders in a device is preferably equal to the number of layers in an extruded pipe. The output of each barrel of the extruder is connected and is in functional connection with the adapter of the die through which the pipe layers are coextruded. The temperature and configuration of each extruder should correspond to the resin extruded through the extruder. For example, for a container having an inner layer of natural PET, an outer layer of clarified polypropylene and a bonding layer of ADMER® adhesive resins, the PET extruder is preferably configured to heat PET to a temperature of about 205 to 280 ° C., the polypropylene extruder is made with the possibility of heating polypropylene to a temperature of from about 205 to 250 ° C, and the extruder of ADMER® adhesive resins is made with the possibility of heating ADMER® adhesive resins to a temperature of from about 200 to 260 ° C.

[0360] In one embodiment, preferably, the inner layer is a mixture of PET and one at least passive gas barrier material and an oxygen scavenger. Preferred gas barrier materials include nanocomposites, plasma or chemical barrier coatings, and polyethylene naphthalate copolymers. In one embodiment, the most preferred oxygen scavenger material is a dispersed unsaturated olefin material in PETs with a transition metal catalyst that serves to enhance activity, such as AMOSORB® supplied by Amoco Corporation BP and described in US Pat. No. 6,083,585 to Kehill et al., the content of which in its entirety is included here by reference to it. The gas barrier material is preferably mixed with PET in an amount of about 0.01 to 10% by weight of the total weight of the PET and gas barrier material. The oxygen scavenging material is present in an amount of about 0.01 to 20% by weight of the total weight of the PET and the oxygen scavenging material.

[0361] In one embodiment, the extrusion blown containers may be formed using extrusion blowing techniques well known in the art, such as those described in US Pat. No. 6,740,377 to Pecorini et al., Which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. links to it. Preferably, the inner layer of a thermoplastic polyester, preferably natural PET, optionally mixed with a gas barrier and / or oxygen absorbing material, the outer layer of the thermoplastic material has high heat resistance, such as clarified polypropylene, and a binder layer, such as ADMER®, is coextruded through a die, forming a three-layer tubular profile having preferably a uniform thickness. A mold having a desired configuration spans the profile and air is injected into the profile so that the profile expands to take the form and volume of the mold and forms the desired container, which is then pushed out of the mold.

[0362] Polypropylene is preferably mixed with a foam agent either before being introduced into the extruder or extruder, so that the outer layer of the container foams during extrusion. Useful foam agents include EXPANCEL®, CELOGEN®, HYDROCEROL®, MIKROFINE®, CEL SPAN® and PLASTRON® FOAM. Useful chemical foam agents include azobisformamide, azobisisobutilonitrile, diazoamine-benzene, N5N dimethyl N5N dinitroso-terephthalamide, N5N dinitrosopentamethylene tetramine, benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, benzene 1,3 disulfonyl hydrazide, diphenyl sulfon sulfon 3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfonyl-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfon-3-sulfonyl-sulfon-3-sulfon-sulfonyl semicarbiside, barium azodicarboxylate, butylamine nitrile, urea, trihydrazino triazine, phenyl methyl ureantane, p sulfonhydrazide, peroxides, ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Upon receipt of the foam, the latest foam technology using compressed gas can be applied as an alternative to the traditional blowing agents listed above.

[0363] According to one embodiment, the profile has a neck portion and comprises an inner layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester and an outer layer comprising a thermoplastic material characterized by heat resistance and thus, melt resistance greater than that of thermoplastic polyester. Preferably, at least one bonding layer is present. In one embodiment, two bonding layers provide bonding between the inner and outer layers. Alternatively, one or more of the binder layers may further comprise oxygen scavengers and / or passive barrier material. The bottle-shaped container preferably contains threads for connection to the lid and has an inner, outer and one or more connecting layers of a profile stretched during blowing.

e. Products containing PETG and polypropylene

[0364] In one embodiment, the articles comprise a first and a second layer, the first layer containing PETG and the second layer containing polypropylene. In another embodiment, the polypropylene may be grafted or modified with maleic anhydride, glycol methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate and / or similar compounds to improve adhesion. In one embodiment, the polypropylene further comprises nanoparticles. In yet another embodiment, the polypropylene contains nanoparticles and is grafted or modified with maleic anhydride, glycol methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate, and / or similar compounds. In one embodiment, the first layer is the inner layer of the product. In another embodiment, the first layer is an outer layer. Optionally, the product may contain additional layers of thermoplastic materials. In one embodiment, the product is a profile blown into a container (e.g., beverage containers or bottles) for containing liquid.

[0365] In embodiments in which the product will be in contact with food, preferably, the inner layer (for example, a layer in contact with the contents of the container) contains a material approved by the PLA to be in contact with food, and / or any other material Suitable for contact with food.

[0366] The profile material preferably has a first layer containing PETG and a second layer containing polypropylene. Polypropylene can be grafted or modified with maleic anhydride, glycol methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate and / or similar compounds to improve adhesion. In one embodiment, the polypropylene further comprises nanoparticles. In yet another embodiment, the polypropylene contains nanoparticles and is grafted or modified with maleic anhydride, glycol methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate, and / or similar compounds. A multilayer container can then be blown out of this material, as described here.

[0367] In another embodiment, the material comprises an inner layer suitable for contact with food products and an outer layer. One of these layers may be a substrate having a melt resistance suitable for extrusion, the Substrate and the other one of these layers may be coextruded, even if the other of these layers may not have a melt resistance, usually suitable for extrusion. For example, the inner layer or substrate of the material may contain PETG, and the outer layer may contain polypropylene. The inner layer and the outer layer can be coextruded from the extruder and then blown out.

[0368] In one embodiment, the first layer may constitute the inner layer of the material and may contain PETG. The second layer may constitute the outer layer of the material and may contain polypropylene. The first layer and the second layer can be coextruded from the extruder and then blown out, forming, for example, containers. Optionally, the first layer may be an outer layer, and the second layer may be an inner layer. In another embodiment, the material can be used to obtain pipelines or pipes for the delivery of drinking liquids. For example, the material can be extruded from an extruder to form a pipe.

4. Methods and devices for producing sheets

[0369] FIG. 32A schematically shows a cross-section of a single layer sheet or film 800 that can be used to make articles. This single layer sheet may be similar to sheet 389 shown in FIG. 22A. For example, sheet 800 may be used to form part or all of a package (e.g., a label or container). Sheet 800 may contain foam material and can be used to produce at least a portion of the product. Preferably, sheet 800 is obtained by extrusion. In the depicted embodiment, the sheet 800 is extruded from the end 804 of the extruder 806. In the molding process, the desired shape can be shaped to the sheet 800. In some embodiments, the sheet 800 may be cut and may be given any desired shape. Optionally, sheet 800 may be formed by molding or by any method such as thermoforming, stamping, etc.

[0370] Sheet 800 may have any suitable thickness, depending on the desired characteristics and properties of the article obtained from it. In some embodiments, sheet 800 may have a thickness of from about 0.001 inches (0.025 mm) or less, to 0.3 inches (8 mm) or more. In some embodiments, sheet 800 may have a variable thickness.

[0371] FIG. 32B schematically shows a section through a laminate sheet 810. This laminate sheet may be similar to the sheet 390 shown in FIG. 22B. In some non-limiting embodiments, the multilayer sheet 810 may comprise at least one sheet of foam material. In the depicted embodiment, sheet 810 has a first layer 812 and a second layer 814. The first layer 812 contains foam material, and the second layer 814 contains a second material. In the depicted embodiment, the layer 812 is directly adhered to the layer 814. For example, the first layer 812 may comprise a phenoxy type thermoplastic which can be adhered to the second layer 814 containing foam material. Between the first layer 812 and the second layer 814 there may be a bonding layer. Based on the present description, a person skilled in this field will be able to choose the materials, layer thickness and application sheet 390 for the desired end use.

[0372] The layers 812, 814 can have any suitable thickness depending on the desired characteristics and properties of the products obtained from them. In some embodiments, layers 812, 814, individually or in combination, may have a thickness of from about 0.001 inch (0.025 mm) or less to about 0.3 inch (8 mm) or more. In some embodiments, layers 812, 814 may have a variable thickness.

[0373] In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 is approximately less than 90% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet, including also approximately less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 90% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 50-100% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 70-100% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 90-100% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 20-80% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 30-70% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 40-60% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 1-50% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 1-30% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first layer 812 has about 1-10% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. It should be understood that the first layer 812 may have any suitable thickness, having values higher, lower, within, or overlapping the above specific percentages and ranges, depending on the desired properties of the multilayer sheet.

[0374] In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 is approximately less than 90% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet, including also approximately less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% , 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 90% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 50-100% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 70-100% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 90-100% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 20-80% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 30-70% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 40-60% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 1-50% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 1-30% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second layer 814 has about 1-10% of the thickness of the multilayer sheet. It should be understood that the second layer 814 may have any suitable thickness, having values higher, lower, within, or overlapping the above specific percentages and ranges, depending on the desired properties of the multilayer sheet.

[0375] Sheet 810 may have any suitable number of layers as desired. For example, sheet 810 may have a bonding layer (not shown) sandwiched between the first layer 812 and the second layer 814. Sheet 810 can also be produced by coextrusion. It should be understood that there are other suitable means of obtaining sheets 800, 810. For example, to obtain sheets, you can use a layered injection molding system (CIF), as described here and / or in US patent No. 6.391.408. In one embodiment, sheets 800, 810 may comprise microspheres partially or fully expanded in a subsequent process. Alternatively, sheets 800, 810 may comprise microspheres substantially completely expanded during the extrusion process.

[0376] In one embodiment, the first layer 812 and the second layer 814 may be made from materials suitable for extrusion. For example, the first layer 812 may contain PET, and the second layer 814 may contain PP. For example, sheet 810 may optionally have a third layer containing foam material. In another embodiment, the first layer 812 may contain PET, and the second layer 814 may contain foam material. Optionally, the foam material may contain microspheres and PP.

[0377] In one embodiment, the sheet may have one or more additional layers, for example, a barrier layer, a support layer. Additional layers may include foam layers, non-foam layers, phenoxy-type thermoplastic layers, phenoxy-polyolefin blend layers, BLOX layers, regenerated or regrind layers, wood pulp layers, and other layers described herein.

[0378] Sheets 800, 810 may be used to make various containers. For example, sheets 800, 810 can be used to make fluid containers. For example, sheets 800, 810 can be obtained by extrusion methods. Sheets 800, 810 can then be formed into containers. In some embodiments, sheets are used to produce labels for containers, such as bottles. A valuable label for a container can be a container insulator, successfully creating a barrier to heat transfer through the label.

[0379] FIG. 25 shows another embodiment of a container containing formatted material. The container 450 may be similar or different from the container 420 of FIG. 24. In the depicted embodiment, the container 450 has a locking element 452, a housing 454 and a handle 456 attached to the housing 454. The locking element 452 may be similar to the locking element 422 shown in Fig.24. The housing 454 may be substantially rigid or resilient. The handle 456 preferably has a shape and size that allows the user to grip it comfortably. The wall of housing 454 may be a single or multi-layer wall. The container 450 may be of any shape, including similar to the shape of conventional containers used to store consumer liquids. The container 450 may be obtained by any method described herein, such as extrusion blowing.

[0380] The container 460 depicted in FIG. 26A can be obtained by blowing or extrusion processes. For example, the container 460 may be obtained from pre-cut foam sheets adapted to be folded in a manner known to persons of ordinary skill in the art to form a pizza box. In some embodiments, the sheets can be used to produce the laminate used to make the containers. For example, food containers may be made of a laminate comprising a first layer and a second layer. In one embodiment, the container is in the form of a food box, such as a pizza box. The first layer may form the outer surface of the pizza box and may contain wood pulp. The second layer may define the inner surface of the pizza box and may be formed of foam material. In some embodiments, the container layer may comprise BLOX, as will be described further below. In some embodiments, the container layer may comprise phenoxy-type material or a phenoxy-polyolefin blend material. As discussed above, a portion of at least the foam structure may be coated with another material that may be suitable for contact with food, subject to structural strength and the like.

[0381] Further, sheets containing foam material can be used to insulate traditional containers. Sheets 800, 810 may be cut and bonded to part of the container. For example, to obtain a thermally insulated container, a piece of sheet 800, 810 may be bonded to a traditional paper-based food container. It should be understood that part of the sheets containing foam material can be used to isolate different types of containers or packages.

[0382] In some embodiments, the foam label may comprise monolayer or multilayer materials that functionally provide insulating properties, as well as a suitable substrate for the printed label and a suitable adhesive surface. In some embodiments, the single-layer or multi-layer materials comprise foam material with closed foam cells in a suitable polymeric material, such as, for example, polypropylene. The closed cells of the foam preferably have a diameter of from several microns to several hundred microns. In one embodiment, closed foam cells can be obtained by foam extrusion using compressed gas in a melt stream. In another embodiment, the foam can be obtained by generating a combination of open and closed cells of the foam. In another embodiment, the foam can be obtained using the expansion of the closed cells of the foam additives, such as gas containing spheres of acrylonitrile, for example, such as supplied Expansel or Wellman Inc. for fiber application. In some embodiments, microcellular foam can be obtained in PET, nylon and olefins with a cell diameter of about 1 to 2 microns, providing weight gain and a decrease in thermal conductivity of about 1/2 to 1/10.

[0383] In another embodiment, the paper-based composite material may comprise foam material. Foamy material can be any suitable piece of paper-based material. Foam material can be placed in paper-based composite materials in the presence or absence of a polyhydroxyamino ester copolymer (PHAE) such as BLOX® resins available from Dow Chemical Corporation and Imperial Chemical Industries. In one embodiment, the foam material may be mixed with pulp to form a substantially uniform mixture. She can be given the desired shape by, for example, a molding or rolling process. The mixture may be heated before, during, or after molding to allow expansion of a component of the foam material (eg, expandable microspheres) of the mixture. You can use the foam material to obtain a composite structure or container containing expandable microspheres and pulp. In one embodiment, the structure or container may contain PHAE, such as BLOX®. Moreover, structures containing foam material can be subjected to any treatment, coating, or other means of providing the desired characteristics. In another embodiment, the foam material may be coated on a paper or wood-based pulp container. The coating can be heated to obtain an expandable coating (i.e., a coating in which a substantial portion of the coating contains expandable microspheres).

[0384] In some embodiments, sheets containing foam material may be superimposed on the article and later processed to achieve further expansion of the foam material. For example, a foam label can be partially expanded. A partially expanded foam label may be connected to the container. The container and the foam label can then be heated to allow further expansion of the foam label.

[0385] Foam material can be applied to the surface of the product to provide thermal insulation. Foam material can be used to cover part of the product, at least foam material can be applied to the product using various coating technologies. For example, the product may be a profile or a bottle coated using the devices and methods described in US Pat. Nos. 6,391,408 and 6,676,883 and in US patent application No. 10 / 705.748. Of course, the foam material can be applied using known application technologies. In addition, to improve the thermal insulation of the product, several layers of foam material can be applied. For example, a bottle having a single foam layer may be coated with one or more additional foam layers, resulting in a bottle with many foam layers.

[0386] In some other embodiments, the sheet and / or profile may be configured to encompass an article, such as a container. The sheet and / or profile may be temporarily or permanently attached to the container and may create a thermal barrier, gas barrier, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the sheet and / or profile comprises a sleeve surrounding a portion of at least a container, such as a cup, bottle, can (e.g., aluminum can), etc. The sleeve may be of any shape suitable for covering the container. In some embodiments, the sleeve preferably comprises a foam material that creates a thermal barrier. In some embodiments, the sleeve comprises foam material and a second material. The second material may comprise fiber material, a polymer, a metal, and / or the like. In one embodiment, the sheet and / or profile is a multilayer sleeve comprising a foam layer and a fiber layer. The fiber layer may be on the outer surface of the sleeve. When the sleeve touches the container in the form of a liquid container, the fiber layer can absorb liquid leaking from the container. In another embodiment, the sheet and / or profile is a multilayer sleeve containing a foam layer and an adhesive layer. For example, the adhesive layer will be able to attach the sleeve to the container and may contain a pressure sensitive and / or temperature sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer is a temperature sensitive polymer, so that when the temperature sensitive layer is heated (for example, by the hot contents of the container), the adhesive layer adheres to the surface of the container. It is fortunate that the foam material in the sleeve can create a surface that is comfortable to grip, insulating the container. The sheet and / or profile may contain, if desired, an additional layer. In addition, in some embodiments, the sleeve may not contain foam material. For example, the sleeve may be a multi-layer sleeve comprising the non-foam materials described herein.

[0387] In some embodiments, an extrusion process may be used to produce articles forming part of at least a preform. For example, a sheet, sleeve or other extruded product can be obtained and used to obtain a layer of a multilayer preform, such as preform 50A of FIG. 5A. The preform 50A is similar to the preform 50 shown in FIG. 5, except that the preform 50A comprises an extruded outer layer 52A. The preform 50A has a number of features and advantages described above with respect to the preform 50, except as noted here. 5A, the uncovered preform 39 (or multilayer preform) depicted in FIG. 5 may be coated on top with an extruded outer layer 52A.

[0388] The outer layer 52A can be obtained by extruding a generally cylindrical profile, followed by trimming the profile to form a sleeve. The sleeve may be sized to accommodate a portion of at least the preform 39. The bottom of the preform 39 can be placed in the sleeve and stored in the sleeve until the outer layer 52A covers the body portion 34 of the preform 39. In some embodiments, the preform 39 can be maintained in the sleeve while the support ring 38 is in contact with the upper end of the sleeve. As shown in FIG. 5A, the lower end of the outer layer 52A ends on the body portion of the workpiece 39 in some portion above the bottom. Alternatively, the sleeve may have a size and shape substantially overlapping the entire length of the body portion 34 of the preform 39. In some embodiments, the sleeve may form part of at least a neck and / or body portion of the preform and / or cover an area of the bottom. For example, the blank 76 in FIG. 9 has an outer layer 52 located on the neck portion 32 and on the body portion 34.

[0389] To facilitate putting the sleeve on the preform 39, the sleeve can be heated and pressed against the preform 39. The heating and pressing processes can facilitate bonding of the outer layer 42A with the preform, and / or ensure that the outer layer 52 is aligned with the outer surface of the uncovered preform 39.

[0390] The sleeve may have a section (preferably a longitudinal section) along part of at least or along the entire length of the sleeve, to facilitate connection with the workpiece 50A. For example, the extruded sleeve can be axially cut so that the preform 39 can be placed in the cut sleeve. Optionally, gluing, a heat treatment process and / or other means can be used to ensure that the sleeve remains on the preform 39 during stretch blowing. It should be understood that the extruded sleeve can be used to obtain the inner part or the outer part of the workpiece.

[0391] In some embodiments, the extruded material may at least temporarily overlap the bottom of the preform. To form the outer layer 52A of FIG. 5A, the extruded sleeve can be placed on and off of the body 34 of the workpiece 39. A portion of the sleeve extending beyond the preform 39 may be pressed against the bottom. Excess sleeve material can be removed, for example, by breaking off, cutting, bending, pulling, and the like. In some embodiments, after removing excess material, the extruded sleeve covers the bottom.

[0392] The sleeve may be heated to ensure that the extruded material forms a substantially uniform outer layer 52A. The extruded material may be heated before, during, or after placing the sleeve on the preform 39. In some embodiments, friction between the uncovered preform 39 and the layer 52A may limit or prevent the layer 52A from sliding off the preform 39. Optionally, to bond the outer layer 52A to the preform 39 binder material may be used. After the sleeve forms the outer layer 52A, the preform 50A can be stretch blown as described above.

[0393] The outer layer 52A may also be obtained from an extruded sheet (eg, a substantially flat sheet). The sheet (for example, sheet 800, sheet 810 and the like) can be cut to fit at least part of the exterior of the blank 39. The blank 50A shown here can be obtained by extruding and sorting according to the size of the sheet, so that the sheet can be wrapped almost all body part of the workpiece 39, forming the outer layer 52A. The sheet may be connected to the preform 39 by a binder, heat, or the like.

[0394] Extruded products can also be used to produce other types of multilayer blanks. For example, the blank 60 in FIG. 8 can be obtained by molding the outer layer 52 on the outside of the blank 40. It should be understood that the multilayer blanks of FIGS. 9-14 can be obtained at least partially with one or more layers of extruded material.

[0395] A sleeve or sheet of extruded material can be cut, heated, chemically treated, stretched, etc., which can facilitate the selection of the position and / or size of the extruded layer. In addition, one or more parts of the extruded products (for example, sheets) can be used to cover at least part of the workpiece.

[0396] Thus, the preforms described herein can be obtained, at least in part, by extruding articles such as single-layer sleeves, multi-layer sleeves, single-layer sheets, multi-layer sheets, etc. Products (for example, blanks and locking elements) and materials that may contain extruded products are described in the application for US patent attorney case number ARTREP1.091A, entitled SINGLE-LAYERED AND MULTI-LAYERED PRODUCTS AND INJECTION METHODS FOR PRODUCING THEM, filed simultaneously with this application, and in the application US Patent Attorney Case Number ARTREP1.090A, entitled SINGLE-LAYERED AND MULTILAYERED PRODUCTS AND COMPRESSION METHODS FOR PRODUCING THEM, filed simultaneously with this application, which are hereby incorporated into this description osredstvom reference. Although the preparation of layers on products is described mainly in relation to blanks, layers of containers (e.g., blown bottles, cans) can be obtained by extrusion of layers.

[0397] In another embodiment, the laminate comprises first and second layers, the first layer containing PETG and the second layer containing polypropylene. In another embodiment, the polypropylene may be crosslinked or modified with maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate and / or similar compounds to improve bonding. In one embodiment, the polypropylene further comprises nanoparticles. In yet another embodiment, the polypropylene containing nanoparticles is crosslinked or modified with maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate, and / or similar compounds. Optionally, the laminate contains additional layers of thermoplastic materials.

[0398] In embodiments in which the laminate is in contact with food, preferably the inner layer (for example, a layer in contact with the contents of the container) will contain a material approved by the PLA to be in contact with food and / or other material, suitable for contact with food.

[0399] FIG. 22B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer laminate or sheet 390. The sheet 390 may be cut and may be given any desired shape. Optionally, by molding or otherwise, sheet 390 may be shaped. In the depicted embodiment, sheet 390 has a first layer 392 and a second layer 394. In one embodiment, the first layer 392 contains PETG and the second layer 394 contains polypropylene. In other embodiments, the polypropylene further comprises nanoparticles and is crosslinked or modified maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic methacrylate and / or similar compounds. In the depicted embodiment, the layer 392 is directly bonded to the layer 394. The sheet 390 may have any desired number of layers. For example, sheet 390 may have a bonding layer (not shown) located between the first layer 392 and the second layer 394. In other embodiments, a third layer of thermoplastic material is added. Sheet 390 can also be obtained by coextrusion. It should be understood that there are other suitable means of obtaining sheet 390. For example, to obtain sheets, you can use the system of layered injection molding (CIF) described in US patent No. 6.391.408.

5. Methods and devices for obtaining distribution systems and pipelines

[0400] FIG. 33A shows a liquid distribution system 960. The liquid distribution system 960 may include a feed machine 962 for distributing an edible liquid, such as a beverage. The feeder 962 may be in fluid communication with a gas system 977 (e.g., a carbon dioxide source) and / or one or more liquid sources (e.g., a water source and a source of syrup or beverage concentrate).

[0401] One or more pipelines may provide a fluid connection between the feed machine and 962 and the beverage syrup, mixed beverage, or any other liquid, preferably suitable for internal use. In the depicted embodiment, the liquid distribution system 960, containing one or more pipelines 963, 964 and 965, may be similar to the pipeline 402 described above with reference to Fig.23. One end of each pipe is connected to a feeding machine 962, and the other pipe ends are a fluid source, such as containers with beverage concentrates 973, 964 and 975. One or more of the pipes 963, 964 and 965 are preferably made so as not to cause a change in taste passing through liquids.

[0402] Pipelines 963, 964, and 965 may be different or similar to one another. Pipelines 963, 964, and 965 may have any configuration suitable for fluid passage. For example, pipelines may have an annular, polygonal, or elliptical sectional profile. Further, the sizes of pipelines 963, 964, and 965 can be determined based on one or more of the following parameters: temperature, pressure, flow rate, and other parameters of the fluid passing through them.

[0403] FIG. 33B shows a conduit adapted to deliver a liquid, preferably a drinking liquid. In the depicted embodiment, the pipeline is connected to a feeding machine 962. In one embodiment, the pipeline or pipe 963 contains material suitable for contact with food products and one or more additional materials having the desired physical properties (for example, such as structural and thermal properties). Fortunately, the inner layer 967, which is in direct contact with the liquid, practically does not change the taste of the food products with which it is in contact. For example, the fluid transmission lines of a distribution system have long contained tasteful polyolefins. Fortunately, the inner layer 967 preferably does not substantially alter the taste of the liquid passing through the lumen 969 of the conduit 963. In one embodiment, the outer layer 968 can impart improved physical characteristics to the conduit 963. In another embodiment, the outer layer 968 may impart improved insulating and / or structural properties to conduit 963. For example, in one embodiment, the outer layer 968 may provide improved impact resistance. In one embodiment, the outer layer 968 can reduce heat transfer through the walls of the conduit 963. In another embodiment, the outer layer 968 can have high tensile strength, so that high pressure fluid can be passed through the conduit 963. Thus, the inner layer serves as a practically inert contact surface with food, while the outer layer (s) serves as a thermal insulator and can withstand external influences.

[0404] In the embodiment of FIG. 33B, conduit 963 has an inner layer 967 containing PET and an outer layer 968 containing PP. In another embodiment, the outer layer 968 contains foam material. For example, the foam material may include PP carrier material and a foam agent. In another embodiment, the foam material may contain PP, PET, microspheres, and / or the like. The pipe 963 may have any suitable number of layers. In some embodiments, inner layer 967 comprises PET or phenoxy-type thermoplastic to successfully reduce the taste of the liquid contained. In some embodiments, conduit 963 may have threads, wire, rings, or other elements providing additional support and / or reinforcement to the conduit.

[0405] In some embodiments, the extruded / coextruded profiles forming pipes and tubing may be rigid or resilient. In one embodiment, upon receipt of liners for pipes and tubing as an adhesive, you can use a material such as phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy. For example, pipes or tubing can be used in carbonated beverage distribution systems. In some embodiments, the extruded profiles comprise a phenoxy-type material and / or a phenoxy mixture as a barrier to provide food-free taste. According to another embodiment, a phenoxy type material and / or a phenoxy mixture forms a thin inner profile layer. For example, a thin inner layer may be bonded to the profile by bonding. In one embodiment, the profile may comprise PVA material. A material such as phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy can be used when the tasteless property is preferred.

[0406] The feeder 962 may also be in the form of a beverage dispenser that can selectively dispense multiple drinks delivered through a single pipe or hose, as shown in FIG. 33C. For example, the feeder 962 may have control buttons 973 to select the type of beverage delivered from the pipe from the nozzle 974 of the feeder 962. The feeder 962 can be used in bars, restaurants, and the like. Typically, the inner layer of the known pipelines used to deliver drinks to the feeding machine 962 preserves the taste of each beverage passing through the pipeline. This residual taste can then change the taste of the drinks subsequently passed through the pipeline. It is fortunate that pipeline 963 can be used to selectively deliver various fluids at different times to feeding machine 962 without any residues remaining on the inner surface of pipeline 963. For example, pipeline 963 with an inner layer 967 containing PET and an outer layer 968 containing PP can allow liquids to pass without a tangible change in the taste of the liquid. Thus, conduit 963 passes liquids without a perceptible change in the taste of the liquid.

[0407] Pipeline 963 can be used to distribute other drinking liquids, and it can be used for other applications. For example, pipeline 963 can be used to deliver liquids to breweries and wineries, in pharmaceuticals, in hospital lines, in semiconductor manufacturing, and the like. For example, conduit 963 can be used to deliver medical fluids.

[0408] As shown in FIG. 33D, a profile 900 comprising a single layer or multilayer material 938 may be provided with an extruder 940. In some embodiments, this extruder may coextrude many layers to form a multilayer material. In one embodiment, the polymer raw materials, preferably polymer granules, enter the extruder using one or more worm-type devices that mix and compress the raw materials. The extruder 940 is heated and a combination of heat and pressure turns the raw material into molten plastic. At the outlet end of the extruder, molten plastic is extruded through a die, more specifically, between the outer part of the die and the center of the die serving to produce the profile. Any type of extruder can be used. In one embodiment, the material can be used to produce pipelines or pipes adapted for the delivery of drinking liquids. For example, the material may be extruded from the extruder to form a conduit 963, as shown in FIGS. 33A, 33B, 33C and / or 33E. In some embodiments, the extruded profile may have a length of more than about 12 inches, more than 15 inches, more than 18 inches, or more than 24 inches.

[0409] As shown in FIG. 33E and as described above, profile 900 may form a conduit 963 containing one or more layers or parts. The conduit 963 has an inner layer 967, an outer layer 968 and, optionally, one or more intermediate layers 970. The term “inner layer” as used herein is a broad term and may include a single layer or a series of layers on or near the interior of the product. As used herein, the term “outer layer” is a broad term and may include a single layer or a series of layers on or near the outer part of the product. As used herein, the term “intermediate layer” is a broad term and may include a single layer or a series of layers located between the layers of the article.

[0410] In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about less than 90% of the pipe wall thickness, including also about less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20 %, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the wall thickness of the pipeline. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 90% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 50-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 70-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 90-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 20-80% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 30-70% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 40-60% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 1-50% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 1-30% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer 967 has about 1-10% of the pipe wall thickness. It should be understood that the inner layer 967 may have any suitable wall thickness, including values that are larger, smaller, within or outside the above specific percentages and ranges, depending on the desired properties of the pipeline.

[0411] In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about less than 90% of the pipe wall thickness, including also about less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20 %, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the wall thickness of the pipeline. In some non-limiting embodiments, the outer layer 968 has about 90% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the outer layer 968 has about 50-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about 70-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the outer layer 968 has about 90-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about 20-80% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about 30-70% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about 40-60% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about 1-50% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about 1-30% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, outer layer 968 has about 1-10% of the pipe wall thickness. It should be understood that the outer layer 968 can have any suitable wall thickness, including values that are larger, smaller, within or outside the above specific percentages and ranges, depending on the desired properties of the pipeline.

[0412] In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more of the intermediate layers 970 has about less than 90% of the pipe wall thickness, including also about less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30 %, 20%, 10%, 9%. 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the pipeline wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more of the intermediate layers 970 has about 90% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the outer layer 968 has about 50-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more intermediate layers 970 has about 70-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more intermediate layers 970 has about 90-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more of the intermediate layers 970 has about 20-80% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more intermediate layers 970 has about 30-70% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more intermediate layers 970 has about 40-60% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more intermediate layers 970 has about 1-50% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more of the intermediate layers 970 has about 1-30% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, one or more of the intermediate layers 970 has about 1-10% of the pipe wall thickness. It should be understood that one or more of the intermediate layers 970 may have any suitable wall thickness, including values that are larger, smaller, within or outside the above specific percentages and ranges, depending on the desired properties of the pipeline. In some non-limiting embodiments, profile 900 may form a conduit 963 containing one or more layers or portions having one or more of the following good characteristics: an insulating layer, a barrier layer, a food contact layer, a tasteless layer, a high strength layer, soft a layer, a bonding layer, a getter layer, a layer or part suitable for use with hot filling, a layer having a melt resistance suitable for extrusion. In some embodiments, a product having a single or multi-layer construction comprises one or more of the following materials: PET (including regenerated and / or natural PET), PETG, foam, polypropylene, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, polyolefins, mixtures of thermoplastics such as phenoxy-polyolefins and / or combinations thereof.

[0413] In some embodiments, the inner layer 967 contains PET or phenoxy-type thermoplastic to successfully reduce odor transfer of the fluid contained within. In some embodiments, conduit 963 may comprise strands, wires, rings, or other elements providing additional support and / or reinforcement to the conduit. As indicated above, in some embodiments, there may be one or more intermediate layers 970. In some embodiments, two or more inner layers 967, outer layer 968, and one or more intermediate layers 970 may contain a common material. For example, in one embodiment, the pipeline has an inner foam layer and an outer foam layer. In another embodiment, the conduit has a phenoxy-type thermoplastic inner layer and a phenoxy-type thermoplastic outer layer. In some embodiments, the two intermediate layers comprise tie layer materials. In some non-limiting embodiments, the inner layer comprises PET or phenoxy type thermoplastic, and the outer layer contains polypropylene, foam, phenoxy type thermoplastic. a mixture of thermoplastic phenoxy-polyolefin, PET, PETG, a barrier material, a regenerated material, crushed material or a surface treated material, and one or more intermediate layers contains a barrier material, a binder layer material, foam, regenerated material, crushed material, PET, PETG or others The materials described here. In some embodiments, the barrier material can successfully limit the passage of fluid through the wall of the pipeline.

[0414] In some embodiments, a blown container or other article, such as a can, comprises one or more foam and / or polypropylene layers. In some embodiments, a blown container or other article, such as a can, comprises one or more layers of the phenoxy type and / or a mixture of phenoxy. In some embodiments, the can may contain any one or more of the layers described here. For example, some preferred methods and devices related to the production of cans are described in US patent No. 6.109.006, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein and forming part of the description of this application. It should also be understood that these methods and devices can be used to obtain the other products described here. In addition, in some embodiments, the products described herein can be obtained using the methods and devices described in the references (for example, in US patent No. 6.109.006, incorporated into this application by reference to it).

[0415] In some embodiments, the intermediate layers may comprise one or more materials in a single layer. For example, in one embodiment, the crushed or regenerated layer may contain PET and foam. In another embodiment, the ground or regenerated layer may comprise a thermoplastic such as phenoxy and PET. In some embodiments, the first intermediate layer comprises a first material, and the second intermediate layer comprises a second material, the first material being different from the second material. In some embodiments, the intermediate layers may include binder layers and / or barrier layers. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer may be omitted.

[0416] In some embodiments, conduit 963 comprises a foam layer. Preferably, the foam layer is obtained from a material that can expand to form foam. In preferred embodiments, the foam material comprises a carrier material (eg, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) or polypropylene) and microspheres. Microspheres are hollow spheres containing encapsulated gas. When the microspheres are heated, their shell softens, the gas pressure increases, leading to the expansion of the microspheres from their initial position to the expanded position, thereby forming a foam material. In one embodiment, the pipeline comprises a foam and / or polypropylene layer and a PET layer. In another embodiment, the pipeline contains a foam and / or polypropylene layer and a layer suitable for contact with food products. In one embodiment, the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferably an inner layer 967. PP can optionally constitute an inner layer suitable, preferably, for contact with food products, as well as, for example, PET or phenoxy type thermoplastics. In one embodiment, the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferably an intermediate layer 970.

[0417] In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer is approximately less than 90% of the pipe wall thickness, including also approximately less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the pipeline wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 90% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 50-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 70-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 90-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 20-80% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 30-70% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 40-60% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 1-50% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 1-30% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam and / or polypropylene layer has about 1-10% of the pipe wall thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferred. minimized. In some embodiments, the thickness of the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferably maximized. In some embodiments, the thickness of the foam and / or polypropylene layer is preferably increased by heating the pipe. It should be understood that the foam and / or polypropylene layer can have any suitable wall thickness, including values that are higher, lower, within, or overlapping the above specific percentages and ranges, depending on the desired properties of the pipeline.

[0418] In some embodiments, conduit 963 comprises one or more layers of a phenoxy type thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the pipeline contains one or more layers of a mixture of thermoplastic phenoxy-polyolefin. In one embodiment, the conduit comprises phenoxy-type layers and / or a phenoxy mixture. In one embodiment, the pipeline comprises a phenoxy type layer and / or a mixture of phenoxy and a layer of PET and / or regenerated PET. In one embodiment, the conduit comprises a phenoxy-type layer and / or a phenoxy mixture and a suitable outer layer 968. In one embodiment, a phenoxy-type layer and / or a phenoxy mixture is an outer layer 968. In one embodiment, a phenoxy-type layer and / or the phenoxy mixture is an intermediate layer 970.

[0419] In some non-limiting embodiments, a feoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture layer is about less than 90% of the pipe wall thickness, including also about less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40% , 30%, 20%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the pipeline wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture has about 90% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture has about 50-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture has about 70-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture has approximately 90-100% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture has about 20-80% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or a mixture of phenoxy has about 30-70% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or a mixture of phenoxy has about 40-60% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture has about 1-50% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, the phenoxy type layer and / or the phenoxy mixture has approximately 1-30% of the pipe wall thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments, a layer of the phenoxy type and / or a mixture of phenoxy has about 1-10% of the pipe wall thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the phenoxy type layer and / or the phenoxy mixture is preferably minimized. Reducing the thickness of the layer type phenoxy and / or a mixture of phenoxy, preferably reduces the total cost of the resulting pipeline. In some embodiments, the thickness of the phenoxy type layer and / or phenoxy mixture is preferably maximized. It should be understood that a layer of the phenoxy type and / or phenoxy mixture may have any suitable wall thickness, including values that are higher, lower, within or overlapping the above specific percentages and ranges, depending on the desired properties of the pipeline.

6. Methods and devices for receiving, filling and sealing containers

[0420] In some embodiments, the container may be obtained, filled, and sealed. In one embodiment, the profile may be extruded. The extruded profile can then be blown into a container. Then the container can be filled. In some embodiments, the container may be filled with liquid. In some embodiments, the container may be filled with food. In some embodiments, the blowing process heats the container. The heated container is effectively sterilized during and shortly after the blowing process. While the container is effectively sterilized, it can be filled. In some embodiments, filling the container shortly after the blowing process eliminates the need for an additional and / or subsequent sterilization process before filling the container. Then the container can be sealed. Any suitable container sealing methods may be used.

[0421] For example, in some embodiments, the container may be sterilized by introducing hot liquid or food into the container. Particularly convenient for hot filling is a container having a rigid neck portion. For example, for some cases of hot filling, a container having a crystalline neck may be used. However, in some embodiments, when the container is filled immediately after blowing, there is no need to heat the liquids placed in the container. The blowing process effectively sterilizes the container. No hot fill required to sterilize the container. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the container does not have to have a rigid part. In some embodiments, the container may be resilient, i.e. bag.

[0422] Any suitable amount and / or combination of the layers and / or materials described herein may be used in the methods of forming, filling, and plugging. Products may contain one or more layers or parts having one or more successful characteristics: an insulating layer, a barrier layer, a layer suitable for contact with food products, an unappetizing screening layer, a high-strength layer, a soft layer, a bonding layer, a gas-absorbing layer , a layer or part suitable for hot filling, a layer having a fusibility suitable for extrusion. In one embodiment, the single-layer or multilayer material contains one or more of the following materials: PET (including regenerated or natural PET), PETG, foam, polypropylene, phenoxy-type thermoplastics, polyolefins, phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastics mixtures, nanocomposites and / or combinations thereof .

[0423] Bearing in mind the present description, a competent specialist will be able to choose various types of layered material (s) to achieve the desired properties of the product obtained from it. The products described herein may be formed by any suitable means. For example, articles may be obtained by injection molding, blowing, injection blowing, extrusion, co-extrusion, stress injection, and other methods described herein. The various methods and technologies described above provide a number of ways to carry out the invention. It should be understood, of course, that not all of the described goals or advantages can be achieved in accordance with each specific option described here. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods can be implemented in a manner that achieves or optimizes one benefit or group of benefits, as described herein, without the necessary achievement of the other goals or advantages described herein or envisaged.

[0424] Further, a competent specialist will understand the possibility of interchangeability of various features from the various options described here. Similarly, the various features and steps described above, as well as other known equivalents of each such feature or step, may be mixed and related to methods and blanks by persons having ordinary knowledge in the art, in accordance with the principles described herein. In addition, the methods described and illustrated here are not limited to the exact sequence of the described actions, nor is it necessary to be limited in practice to all these actions. Other sequences of events or actions, or not all events, or the simultaneous occurrence of events can be used in the implementation of variants of the present invention.

[0425] Although the present invention has been described in the context of certain variations and examples, those skilled in the art will understand that it goes beyond the scope of the specifically described variations to other alternatives and / or applications and to its obvious modifications and equivalents. Accordingly, it is not intended to limit the invention to the description of specific preferred embodiments provided herein. On the contrary, the applicant insists that the scope of the invention is limited solely by references to the appended claims, and that variations of the methods and materials described herein that are obvious to those skilled in the art are within the scope of the applicant's invention.

Claims (84)

1. A bottle containing:
neck part and
a body portion comprising a first inner layer and a second layer, the first inner layer containing a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastics, and combinations thereof, and the second layer contains a foam material including expandable material and material a carrier, the first inner layer and the second layer being coextruded to form a profile,
moreover, the bottle is made by blowing together extruded profile. 2. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the second layer is the outer layer. 3. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the second layer is an intermediate layer between the first inner layer and the outer layer. 4. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about half the wall thickness of the second layer. 5. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about a quarter of the wall thickness of the second layer. 6. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about one tenth of the wall thickness of the second layer. 7. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the expandable material contains microspheres. 8. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the material of the carrier contains polypropylene. 9. The bottle according to claim 1, in which one or more of the first inner layers and the second layer contain a barrier material having a permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide less than that of polyethylene terephthalate PET. 10. The bottle according to claim 1, in which between the first inner layer and the second layer is a bonding layer. 11. The bottle according to claim 1, in which the neck portion is made with the possibility of connection with the locking element. 12. A method of obtaining a bottle containing:
coextruding a profile having a first inner layer and a second layer, the first inner layer containing a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastics and combinations thereof, and the second layer contains a foam material that contains an expandable material and carrier material, and blowing a profile to produce a bottle. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising cooling the bottle to control expansion of the expandable material. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising heating the bottle to control expansion of the expandable material. 15. A bottle containing:
a neck portion and a body portion comprising a first inner layer, a second layer and a third layer, the first inner layer containing a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastics mixtures, phenoxy-functional polyolefin thermoplastics mixtures, and combinations thereof the second layer is located outside the first inner layer, and the third layer contains regrind piece material formed by regrinding the residual material from the extrusion blowing process wherein the residual material comprises a first material and a second material, the third layer being located outside the first inner layer and inside the second layer. 16. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the first inner layer is approximately less than 20% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 17. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the first inner layer is approximately less than 10% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 18. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the first inner layer is approximately less than 5% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 19. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the second layer is approximately more than 20% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 20. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the second layer is approximately more than 40% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 21. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the second layer is approximately more than 60% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 22. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the second layer is approximately less than 20% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 23. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the second layer is approximately less than 40% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 24. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the second layer is approximately less than 60% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 25. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the third layer is approximately less than 20% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 26. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the third layer is approximately less than 10% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 27. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the third layer is approximately less than 5% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 28. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the third layer is approximately more than 20% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 29. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the third layer is approximately more than 40% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 30. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the third layer is approximately more than 60% of the wall thickness of the body of the bottle. 31. The bottle according to clause 15, made by blowing extruded profile. 32. The bottle according to clause 15, in which one or more of the first, second and third layers contains a barrier material having an oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability lower than that of polyethylene terephthalate. 33. The bottle according to clause 15, in which between two or more first, second and third layers is one or more connecting layers. 34. The bottle according to clause 15, in which the neck portion is made with the possibility of connection with the locking element. 35. A method of obtaining a bottle containing:
the formation of regrind piece material by grinding the residual material from the extrusion blowing process, the residual material comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of phenoxy-functional polyolefins thermoplastics, mixtures of phenoxy-polyolefins thermoplastics and combinations thereof, and a second material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, functionally active polypropylene PP and combinations thereof,
joint extrusion of a profile having a first inner layer, a second layer and a third layer, the first inner layer containing the first material, the second layer located outside the first inner layer, containing the second material, and the third layer located outside the first inner layer and inside the second layer, containing finely divided piece material, and blowing the profile to form a bottle. 36. The method according to clause 35, in which the residual material contains regrind piece material. 37. An extrusion profile for storing beverages, comprising:
a first extruded inner layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastic, a mixture of phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastics, and combinations thereof, and
a second extruded layer containing a material selected from the group consisting of foam, polypropylene, regrind piece materials from the process of forming the profile and combinations thereof, the second extruded layer supporting the first extruded inner layer. 38. The extrusion profile according to clause 37, in which the first layer is suitable for contact with food products. 39. The extrusion profile according to clause 37, in which the second layer contains expandable material. 40. The extrusion profile according to § 39, in which the expandable material is adapted for expansion during heat treatment. 41. The extrusion profile according to p, in which the expandable material contains microspheres that increase during heat treatment. 42. The extrusion profile of claim 40, wherein the heat treatment includes a preheating cycle to increase the temperature of the blow profile. 43. The extrusion profile of claim 39, wherein the expandable material comprises a polymer carrier material and a foaming agent. 44. The extrusion profile of claim 39, wherein the expandable material comprises mainly fully decomposed microspheres, partially expanded microspheres, or fully expanded microspheres. 45. The extrusion profile of claim 39, wherein the expandable material is expandable to form foam when heated above the expansion temperature. 46. The extrusion profile according to § 39, in which the expandable material is from about 5 to 60% by weight of the profile. 47. The extrusion profile according to clause 39, in which the expandable material contains in most of the weight of the PP. 48. The extrusion profile of claim 39, wherein the expandable material is about less than 40% by weight of the profile. 49. The extrusion profile of claim 39, wherein the expandable material is about less than 20% by weight of the profile. 50. The extrusion profile of claim 39, wherein the expandable material comprises microspheres and a carrier material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, PET, and combinations thereof. 51. The extrusion profile according to clause 37, in which one of at least one of the first layer and the second layer contains a barrier material. 52. The extrusion profile of claim 51, further comprising another layer comprising a barrier material. 53. A bottle containing:
neck portion and body portion comprising
the first inner layer containing the first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of thermoplastics of phenoxy-polyolefins, polyesters, polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylenes, clarified polypropylenes, polyamides, copolymers of any of the above and their combinations;
the second layer contains foam material, said foam material including expandable material and carrier material; and
a third layer directly glued to the second layer;
where is the bottle made
the formation of the first inner layer by extruding the profile and blowing the extruded profile,
joining the glued second and third layers to the first inner layer. 54. The bottle according to item 53, where either the second or third layer is directly glued to the first inner layer. 55. The bottle according to item 53, also containing one or more intermediate layers, where one or more intermediate layers are directly glued to the first inner layer and one of the one or more intermediate layers is directly glued to either the second or third layer. 56. The bottle according to item 53, where the glued second and third layers are not attached to most of the neck portion. 57. The bottle according to item 53, where the third layer is an outer layer. 58. The bottle according to item 53, where the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about half the wall thickness of the second layer. 59. The bottle according to item 53, where the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about a quarter of the wall thickness of the second layer. 60. The bottle according to item 53, where the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about one tenth of the wall thickness of the second layer. 61. The bottle according to item 53, where the expandable material contains microspheres. 62. The bottle of claim 53, wherein the carrier material comprises polypropylene, a copolymer of ethylene acrylic acid, or any combination thereof. 63. The bottle according to item 53, where one or more of the first inner layers and the second layer contain a barrier material having a permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide less than polyethylene terephthalate. 64. The bottle according to item 53, where between the first inner layer and the second layer is a bonding layer. 65. The bottle according to item 53, where the neck portion is made with the possibility of connection with the lid. 66. A method of manufacturing a bottle, including:
extruding a profile having a first inner layer containing a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of phenoxy-polyolefin thermoplastics, polyesters, polyolefins,
polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylenes, clarified polypropylenes, polyamides, copolymers of any of these and combinations thereof;
molding a second layer containing foam material comprising expandable material and carrier material; and
profile blowing;
molding a third layer directly glued to the second layer; and joining the glued second and third layers to the profile. 67. The method of claim 66, further comprising cooling the bottle to control expansion of the expandable material. 68. The method of claim 66, further comprising heating the bottle to control expansion of the expandable material. 69. A bottle comprising: a neck portion and a body portion comprising
the first inner layer containing the first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, mixtures of thermoplastics of phenoxy-polyolefins, polyesters, polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylenes, clarified polypropylenes, polyamides, copolymers of any of these and combinations thereof;
the second layer contains foam material, said foam material including expandable material and carrier material; and
a third layer directly glued to the second layer; where is the bottle made
molding the first inner layer by injection molding the preform and blow molding the preform,
joining the glued second and third layers to the first inner layer. 70. The bottle of claim 69, wherein either the second or third layer is directly attached to the first inner layer. 71. The bottle of claim 69, further comprising one or more intermediate layers, wherein one or more of the intermediate layers is directly bonded to the first inner layer and one of the one or more intermediate layers is directly bonded to either the second or third layer. 72. The bottle of claim 69, wherein the glued second and third layers are not attached to most of the neck portion. 73. The bottle of claim 69, wherein the third layer is an outer layer. 74. The bottle according to p, where the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about half the wall thickness of the second layer. 75. The bottle according to p, where the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about a quarter of the wall thickness of the second layer. 76. The bottle according to p, where the first inner layer has a wall thickness less than about one tenth of the wall thickness of the second layer. 77. The bottle according to p, where the expandable material contains microspheres. 78. The bottle of claim 69, wherein the carrier material comprises polypropylene, a copolymer of ethylene acrylic acid, or any combination thereof. 79. The bottle according to p, where one or more of the first inner layers and the second layer contain a barrier material having a permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide less than that of polyethylene terephthalate. 80. The bottle of claim 69, wherein the bonding layer is located between the first inner layer and the second layer. 81. The bottle according to p, where the neck portion is made with the possibility of connection with the lid. 82. A method of manufacturing a bottle, including:
injection molding of a preform having a first inner layer containing a first material selected from the group consisting of phenoxy-type thermoplastics, thermoplastics mixtures of phenoxy-polyolefins, polyesters, polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylenes, clarified polypropylenes, polyamides, copolymers of any of these and combinations thereof ;
molding a second layer containing foam material comprising expandable material and carrier material; and
preform blowing;
molding a third layer directly glued to the second layer; and
joining the glued second and third layers to the preform obtained by blowing. 83. The method of claim 82, further comprising cooling the bottle to control expansion of the expandable material. 84. The method of claim 82, further comprising heating the bottle to control expansion of the expandable material.

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