Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
  • B65D23/08—Coverings or external coatings
  • B65D23/0842—Sheets or tubes applied around the bottle with or without subsequent folding operations
  • B65D23/085—Sheets or tubes applied around the bottle with or without subsequent folding operations and glued or otherwise sealed to the bottle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
  • B65D23/001—Supporting means fixed to the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
  • B65D23/08—Coverings or external coatings
  • B65D23/0807—Coatings
  • B65D23/0814—Coatings characterised by the composition of the material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
  • B65D81/3837—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container in the form of a bottle, jar or like container
  • B65D81/3846—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container in the form of a bottle, jar or like container formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
  • B65D81/3876—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc.
  • B65D81/3881—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc. formed with double walls, i.e. hollow
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
  • B65D81/3876—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc.
  • B65D81/3883—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc. provided with liquid material between double walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
  • B65D81/3876—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc.
  • B65D81/3886—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc. formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
  • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
  • Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
  • Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging

Definitions

• the present invention relates to containers and, more particularly, to plastic fluid containers having reduced heat gain and good recycleability.
• containers such as plastic bottles
• beverages such as soft drinks.
• the beverage undesirably begins to warm.
• heat is conducted from the surroundings, through the beverage container, and to the beverage contained therein by three primary modes of heat transfer.
• First any difference in temperature between a container's surroundings (such as the air surrounding the container or the surface the container is placed on) and heat will be conducted through the container wall and enter the beverage by convection.
• Third, and the greatest source of heat to the container wall is direct radiation from the sun and ground. For example, with a plastic bottle, thermal radiation easily penetrates the plastic bottle wall. As the radiation penetrates, it heats the plastic from within, as well as on its outer surface, further hastening the heating of the container contents.
• a reflective layer is formed on an outer surface of a container body wall to reduce temperature gain through the wall. Additionally, a foam layer located under or over the reflective layer enhances the heat gain reduction.
• the container body may also be received by a base cup.
• the base cup may also have an outer layer that reflects radiation to further increase the thermal resistance of the container body. Again, a foam layer can be placed over or under the reflective layer to further improve heat gain suppression.
• a space inside the base cup may contain air, if the cup is to be a "passive" insulator for the bottom of the container body, or a fluid that can be frozen, to provide an "active" base cup.
• the container body and base cup can still be efficiently recycled by using separation techniques based on density of the various materials.
• the materials of the reflective layer are selected to have a density less than 1 g/cc so that the reflective layer can be separated from the container body having a density greater than 1 g/cc.
• the addition of a foam layer can reduce the bulk density of the structure such that the combination has a density less than 1 g/cc.
• the passive base cup materials can be selected such that the density is less than 1 g/cc, or combined with foam to create a structure such that the combination has a density less than 1 g/cc.
• Figure 1 is side view of a container body according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the sidewall of the container body shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2.
• Figure 3 A is a side, cross sectional view of the sidewall of a container body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 3B is a side, cross-sectional view of the sidewall of a container body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of the bottom of a container body and a polymeric, "passive" base cup according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 5A is a side, cross sectional view of the bottom of the container body shown in FIG. 4 received in the passive base cup.
• Figure 5B is a side, cross-sectional view of a container body and a passive foam base cup according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 5C is a side, cross-sectional view of the bottom of the container body shown in Figure 5B received in the passive foam base cup.
• Figure 6 is a side, cross sectional view of a container body and an "active" base cup according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 7 is a side, cross sectional view showing the active base cup receiving the bottom of the container body shown in FIG. 6.
• Figure 8 is a side, cross sectional view of a container body bottom and an active base cup according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, wherein each of the body and the base cup includes cooperating elements for removably connecting them together.
• Figure 9 is a side, cross sectional view of the container body received by the active base cup shown in Fig. 8.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention.
• a container 10 includes a container body 12 in the form of, e.g., a plastic bottle intended to contain a beverage 22, such as a soft drink.
• the body 12 has a bottom 15, a sidewall 16, an inner surface 18, and an outer surface 20.
• the container body 12 may also include a threaded neck 21 for receiving a cap (not shown).
• a reflective layer or label 14, capable of reducing heat gain through the container body 12, is formed on the outer surface 20 of the container body 12, as described below.
• the container body 12 is preferably made from conventional polymeric materials such as polyesters, including any crystallizable polyester homopolymer or copolymer that is suitable for use in packaging, and particularly food packaging.
• Suitable polyesters are generally known in the art and may be formed from aromatic dicarboxylic acids, esters of dicarboxylic acids, anhydrides of dicarboxylic esters, glycols, and mixtures thereof.
• suitable polymer materials for forming the container include multilayer formulations, including: PET/MXD6 (polyamides)/PET, and PET/EVOH/PET. Such multilayer polymers are currently used to make, e.g., beer containers. Still other suitable known polymer materials include polycarbonates, polyolefms (HDPE, PP, LDPE, etc.), polystyrene and polyvinylchloride.
• additives include, but are not limited to colorants, pigments, carbon black, glass fibers, fillers, impact modifiers, antioxidants, stabilizers, flame retardants, reheat aids, acetaldehyde reducing compounds, barrier aids, oxygen scavengers and the like.
• the container body 12 is formed by a conventional process such as extrusion molding, and preferably stretch blow molding.
• the reflective layer 14 is applied over the outer surface 20 of the container body 12. Since the sidewall 16 offers the largest surface area of the container body 12 that is directly exposed to radiative heat sources, it is preferred that the sidewall 16 be covered with the reflective layer 14, and less preferable that the reflective layer extend over to the neck 21 and/or the bottom 15 of the container body 12.
• the reflective layer 14 should cover between about 50% to about 100% of the outer surface 20; preferably between about 75% to about 100%, and more preferably between about 85% to about 100% .
• Suitable materials for the heat reflective layer 14 include one or more of metal foil, metallized paper, metallized polymer film, and the like.
• the reflective layer 14 can be applied to the outer surface 20 by known techniques, e.g., heat shrinking, stretching, pressure sensitive labeling, and adhesive. As known in the art, each type of application technique can affect the ability to efficiently recycle the container. Of course, advertising or other indicia can be applied to the exterior surface of the reflective layer 14.
• the reflectivity of the reflective layer 14 should be greater than about 70%; preferably greater than about 90% , and more preferably greater than about 97% . Reflectivity is measured via industry standard methods such as ASTM E903-96 with a vacuum metallized film standard according to NIST.
• the reflective layer 14 may be very thin and still provide significant decreases in heat gain from radiation. Reflective layers 14 which are less than about 5 mils thick, and even less than three mils thick, have been found significantly to reduce heat gain. This reduces the materials necessary to make the low heat gain container 10, which minimizes the effect of the container 10 on the recycle industry. In contrast, much thicker foam layers (0.009-0.010 inches, 9 to 10 mils) failed to significantly decrease heat gain. There are several methods for producing the reflective layer 14. A reflective film can be made by adding metallic flakes or pigments to virgin plastic resins using standard extrusion processes. As known in the art, however, colored plastics can reduce recycle efficiency. Also, any modifications made to the plastic during an injection-molding step, would negatively impact a stretch blow- molding step that uses infrared radiation to heat the plastic.
• ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇
• plastic and paper can be solution coated with silver or aluminum.
• the plastic or paper is metallized using a vacuum deposition process.
• white pigments can be added to films to create substrates that are reflective; however, the reflectivity will not be as great as with metallized substrates. When printing on any of the reflective substrates, inks which do not absorb in the infrared region are recommended.
• Combinations of reflective layers 14 may be employed to gain greater cold retaining benefit.
• a metallized low shrinkage wrap-around film or paper label with a reflective layer 14 could be used to cover a flat or paneled section of a container body 10, and a reflective layer 14 in the form of a shrink film metallized or printed with reflective inks could be utilized to cover a more curved sections of the container body 12, such as near the neck 21 or bottom 15.
• the shrinkage characteristic of the polymer film can be utilized to conform the label with reflective layer 14 to the container body 10 shape more readily.
• the reflective layer 14 may be used either alone or in combination with other materials to enhance the heat gain reduction.
• foam is the most practical and efficient material to satisfy the following two goals: reducing conductive heat gain, and facilitating recycling.
• FIG. 3A illustrates a second embodiment according to the present invention.
• a foamed film or layer 24 may be used with the reflective layer 14 to further reduce the temperature gain, particularly through the sidewall 16.
• the foamed layer 24 would preferably be disposed between the reflective layer 14 and the outer surface 20 of the container sidewall 16 to further impede heat absorption.
• the density of the foamed layer 24 should be less than about 0.5 g/cm 3 , and preferably less than about 0.2 g/cm 3 .
• the foamed layer 24 may be composed of a polystyrene -based homopolymer or copolymer, a polyolefin homopolymer or copolymer, polyester homopolymer or copolymer or any other foamable thermoplastic polymer.
• the thickness of the foamed layer 24 may range from about 0.001 to about 0.080 inches, preferably from about 0.004 to about 0.020 inches.
• the reflective layer 14 functions to retard the heat gain through radiation in the environment, such as from the sun.
• the foamed layer 24 seeks to retard the heat gain mostly from conduction, such as someone holding the container body 12 in their hand.
• the reflective layer 14 is most effective, i.e., reduces heat gain most, when, e.g., a beverage in a plastic container is being consumed in an outdoor environment where there is a substantial radiation source, such as the sun.
• the reflective layer provides only marginal heat reduction relative to a conventional container, and otherwise serves only an aesthetic and/ or labeling function (advertising indicia).
• a reflective layer 14a is applied directly to the outer surface 20 of the container body 12, and a foamed layer 24a is applied over the reflective layer 14a. Again, the foamed layer 24a retards heat gain by convection, and the reflective layer 14a minimizes heat gain from radiative sources.
• the recycling process includes the following steps.
• the labeled bottles e.g., PET
• the reflective layer materials which are of the lesser density float toward the top, whereas the PET materials sink.
• the reflective layer materials are then recovered separately from the PET materials.
• the foamed layer 24 can be added depending on the thickness and the type of reflective layer 14. For example, a foamed layer would be used if the reflective layer 14 were metallized paper or PET, instead of metallized polyethylene or propylene. That is, metallized polyolefins float in water (density less than 1) while PET will sink.
• the reflective layer 14 can be readily separated during conventional recycling from the container body 12 which is selected to have a density greater than about 1 g/cc. In this way the lighter material, i.e., the reflective layer 14 on the foamed layer 24 can be floated to the top, relative to the heavier container body 12 material.
• the present invention also contemplates the use of a base cup.
• the base cup can take the form of a "passive" base cup, as shown in Figures 4-5C, or an "active" base cup, as shown in Figures 6-9, and as described in greater detail below.
• passive it is meant that the base cup serves only to increase the thermal resistance of the container body and does not provide a cooling source.
• the active base cup increases the thermal resistance of the container body and also provides a cooling source that actively cools the container body.
• FIGS. 4-5 A show a fourth embodiment of the present invention including a container body 12, as described above, and a base cup 30 to be connected to the bottom 15 of the container body 12.
• the base cup 30 includes a bottom 32, a sidewall 34 with an inner surface 36 and an outer surface 38, and an open top 40.
• This passive base cup should be made of a material with a density less than lg/cc and polyolefin in nature (PP, LDPE, HDPE, or LLDPE would be applicable).
• the base cup 30 can also be made using other polymers mixed with metallized flake and pigments during extrusion or injection molding.
• a reflective layer 44 can be applied over the outer surface 38 of the base cup 30.
• the coverage of the reflective layer 44 relative to the area of the outer surface 38 of the base cup 30 should be greater than 50%, up to a preferable range of 85% to 100% .
• the heat reflective layer should have a reflectivity of greater than about 70% ; preferably greater than about 90%, and more preferably greater than about 97% .
• the inner diameter d of the base cup 30 is such that its inner surface 36 fits over the outer surface 20 of the bottom 15 of the container body 12.
• the outer diameter d' of the container body 12 in the region covered by the base cup 30 may be reduced slightly relative to the container body 12 outer diameter d" in areas not covered by the base cup 30, such that the outer diameter d" ' of the base cup 30 is equal to the outer diameter d" of the container body 12 in the uncovered area.
• air 42 is trapped therebetween. This trapped air 42 acts as a passive insulator, which further minimizes heat gain through the container body 12.
• the passive base cup 30 can include a foamed layer 46, either under the reflective layer 44, as shown in Figures 4 and 5A (compare Figure 3A), or on top of the reflective layer 44 (compare Figure 3B).
• a reflective layer with a density of less than 1 g/cc does not require an additional foamed layer.
• Figures 5B and 5C show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a passive base cup 50 is formed from a polymeric foam.
• the density of the foam is preferably less than about 0.5 g/cm 3 and more preferably less than about 0.2 g/cm 3 .
• a reflective layer 52 can be applied directly to the exterior of the base cup 50.
• the foam may be composed of a polystyrene-based homopolymer or copolymer, a polyolefin homopolymer or copolymer, a polyester homopolymer or copolymer, or any other foamable thermoplastic polymer, including specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, polystyrene or any combination thereof.
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• PET polypropylene
• polystyrene or any combination thereof any combination thereof.
• the thickness of the foam may range from about 0.01 to about 0.3 inches, preferably from about 0.02 to about 0.2 inches.
• the base cup 50 may be formed by any method known to those skilled in the art. These methods include in-mold foaming of expandable beads, post-extrusion forming of extruded foam sheet, injection molding, and the like. The preferred methods are in-mold foaming of expandable beads and post- extrusion forming of extruded foam sheet. In the latter case, the optional heat reflective layer 52 is preferably laminated prior to forming the base cup 50.
• the base cup 50 itself is made of foam, an additional foamed layer adjacent the reflective layer 52, such as described in previous embodiments, is not necessary.
• an active base cup 60 includes a sidewall 61, an inner surface 62, an outer surface 64, a compartment 66, and a fluid 68 disposed in compartment 66.
• This base cup 60 can be made of polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, or any other thermoplastic material, as discussed above.
• the compartment 66 therein can be formed by any method known by those skilled in the art, with injection molding being a preferred process.
• the volume of the compartment 66 should scale with the container body bottom 15 size and also support the container body 12 to stand erect.
• the volume of the compartment 66, for a 32oz bottle with a 3.5-inch diameter should be between 0.5 cubic inch and 2 cubic inches, more preferably 0.75 cubic inch and 1.5 cubic inches.
• the fluid 68 should readily freeze (or change to a solid phase) at or above home freezer conditions.
• Suitable phase change fluids 68 are well known and are used in commercially available reusable freezer packs. Possible phase change fluids include, but are not limited to water, brine, water/ethylene glycol mixtures, mixtures thereof and the like.
• the melting point of the selected phase change fluid is at or near the desired "end use" temperature. Typically this would be between ambient temperature and 32°F depending on the particular beverage. The fact that the freezing point and the melting temperature are not necessarily the same is a result of the fact that most fluids have to be supercooled in order for freezing/crystallization to occur.
• phase change fluid 68 may also include nucleators and/ or impurities to bring the freezing and crystallization points closer together. These aid the formation of frozen crystals during cool down so that less supercooling is required.
• This active base cup 60 can be removed, frozen, and reapplied to the container body 12 such that it acts as a portable cooler for the container body 12. In this regard, this base cup 60 also can snap or screw directly onto the bottom 15 of the container body 12 by the methods described below.
• the fluid 68 could also be chilled, but not frozen, and still offer active attributes to the base cup 60.
• the base cup 60 directly out of a polymer/material that will undergo phase change itself at the desired temperature, so that no compartment 66 need to be formed.
• materials include polyisobutylene and polyethylene glycol.
• these polymers will have melting points between 32°F and room temperature. These polymers would most likely have to be incorporated as a blend, or as a separate layer, with another structural polymer such as PET, HDPE, PC or other similar materials.
• a polymer like polyisobutylene might be rigid enough to be useable as a standalone phase change base cup 60 in contact with the bottom 15 of the container body 12.
• the compartment 66 is not necessarily entirely full of fluid 68 so that heat has to make a leap across an air gap in the compartment 66, when moving axially upward. That is, heat would have to enter the reflective base cup 60, mostly via namral convection, pass through the polymer material of the base cup 60 sidewall 61, melt the frozen phase change fluid 68 in the compartment 66, pass through the remaining air gap in the compartment 66, pass through the wall forming the bottom 15 of the container body 12, and enter the beverage 22. This poses quite a resistance and initially has the effect of having heat pass from the beverage 22 to the chilled base cup 60. As the frozen phase change fluid 68 in the base cup 60 melts, the heat flow would be reversed.
• the active base cup 60 would not necessarily be sold as a part of the container body 12. Instead, it could be sold separately, as with soft foam receptacles that are currently popular for use with beer cans. Such active base cups 60 would be reusable, and would have no need to be recyclable like the container body 12 or the passive cup 30, as described above.
• the base cup 60 can, like the embodiments described above, be made reflective by adding a reflective layer 70 using the techniques previously described. As also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a foamed film or layer 76 may be used under the reflective layer 70 to further reduce the temperature gain, particularly through the sidewall 61 of the base cup 60. Alternatively, as described above, the reflective layer 70 can be applied directly to the container body 12, and the foamed layer 76 can be applied over the reflective layer 70, as shown in Figure 3B for the container body 12.
• the foamed layer 76 may be composed of the same homopolymers or copolymers, or any other foamable thermoplastic polymer, discussed above in relation to the foamed layer 24.
• the thickness of the foamed layer 76 may again range from about 0.001 to about 0.080 inches, preferably from about 0.004 to about 0.020 inches.
• the density of the reflective layer 70/foamed layer 76 combination should be less than about 1 g/cc, for recycling considerations, i.e., to provide improved separation during recycling.
• the density of the foamed layer 76 should preferably be less than about 0.5 g/cm 3 and is preferably less than about 0.2 g/cm 3 . This enables the reflective layer 70 to be readily separated during conventional recycling from a container body 12 having a density greater than about 1 g/cc. In this way the lighter reflective layer 70/foamed layer 76 material can float to the top, relative to the heavier container body 12 material in a recycling process Attachment of Base Cup
• the passive base cup 30 is preferably secured to the container body 12 via a friction fit between adjoining surfaces.
• mechanical interlocking such as screw fit, interference or snap fit, adhesive (such as an adhesive that dissolves in water to facilitate recycling), or any other method known to those skilled in the art, could be used, if desired.
• Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.
• a circumferential projection 72 formed on the inner surface 62 of the base cup 60 engages, by an interference or snap fit, a corresponding circumferential recess 74, formed on the outer surface 20 of the container body 12.
• the projection 72 and recess 74 could be helical to allow a threaded removable engagement.
• the reflective layer 70, with or without the foamed layer 76 could be used with the attachment embodiment.
• the active cup 60 is less cost-effective and less easy to use than the passive cup, which merely forms an insulative air gap between the bottom of the cup and the bottom of the container body.
• Samples of a 32oz, 49.4g polyethylene terephthalate container were acquired and tested.
• an environmental chamber was controlled at the following conditions: 80°F ambient conditions, circulating air source, brick floor, and infrared energy source.
• the infrared energy source was a 250-watt heat lamp mounted such that it was at a 50-degree angle to the test objects resting on the brick floor.
• the test objects were equilibrated to 40°F in a small refrigerator for at least 12 hours prior to testing.
• the containers were allowed to rest directly on the floor. Temperature data was acquired over a 2-hour test period. This Control container tested with no label yielded an overall temperature gain of greater than 40°F.
• the 32oz PET container was evaluated with a standard 2.2 mil biaxially oriented printed polypropylene label by the standard test procedure outlined in Example 1. This label was found to provide a temperature reduction of 2°F to 4°F compared to the container in example 1, when covering 40% to 75% of the container.
• Metallized substrates (1.4 mil metallized plastic films and 2.4 mil metallized paper) according to the present invention were tested on the standard
• Example 2 32oz container according to the procedure outlined in Example 1. As the coverage area increased, the overall temperature gain decreased. At 25% coverage the label reduced the beverage temperature by 3°F-4°F compared to the Control, at 50% coverage a 7°F-8°F reduction was observed, at 75% the reduction was 10°F-12°F, and at 100% coverage a 13-14°F reduction in heat gain was observed.
• Example 5 Passive Base Cup, Unlabeled Container
• a PET passive base cup served to isolate the base of a conventional 32oz PET container from the floor by creating an air space between the container and the ground.
• the passive base cup was made by cutting the bottom off of a standard PET 2-liter container. For testing purposes, the cut portion of the 2-liter container was then turned upside down such that the 32oz PET container sat directly on the top of the base cup. This design created the desired air gap thereunder for evaluation.
• the passive base cups evaluated had the following volumes: 140ml (air gap of -0.75"), 260 ml (air gap of 1 7/8"), and 350 ml (air gap of 3 V4 "). In comparison to the Control, the 0.75" air gap reduced the beverage temperature by 3-4°F, the 1 7/8" air gap reduced the temperamre by
• Example 6 Active Base Cup, Unlabeled Container
• Active base cups were evaluated by the standard test procedure outlined in Example 1.
• the active base cup was fabricated by cutting sections from a standard 2- liter container. The sections were then filled with various volumes of water and frozen in a standard freezer. These frozen ice plugs served as the active element of the base cups.
• the active base cups evaluated had volumes of (60 ml, 100 ml, and 150 ml). The 60 ml base cup reduced the beverage temperature by 5-6°F, the 100 ml by 12-13°F, and the 150 ml by 15-16°F.
• Example 7 Active Base Cup, Reflective Labeled Container
• the 100ml active base cups as described in Example 6 were evaluated in combination with the reflective label embodiment of the container body 12 described above.
• a 100ml active base cup was evaluated on 32oz containers covered by 50% with a reflective label.
• the combination of the 50% reflective label with the 100 ml base cup reduced the beverage temperature by 20-21° F.
• a 100ml active base cup was evaluated on 32oz containers covered by 100% with a reflective label.
• the combination 100% reflective label with the 100ml base cup reduced the beverage temperature by 25-26°F.
• This data is consistent with previous results showing that a 50% reflective label alone reduces the temperamre by 7-8°F, and a 100% reflective label alone reduces the temperamre by 12-14°F.
• the additional decrease in temperature comes from the 100ml base cup, — 12- 13°F.
• Example 8 Active "Reflective" Base Cup, Reflective Labeled Container
• a 32oz container covered by a 100% reflective label was evaluated with the following active base cups: 100ml, 150ml, and 200ml.
• the base cups were also made reflective by labeling with metallized films.
• the combination of a reflective container and reflective base cup reduced the temperamre considerably.
• the overall reduction for the combination of a 100ml reflective active base cup and 100% reflective label was 25-26°F.
• the overall reduction for the combination of a 150ml reflective active base cup and 100% reflective label was 28-29°F.
• the overall reduction for the combination of a 200ml reflective active base cup and 100% reflective label was 29-30°F.
• Example 9 32oz Water Bottles, Active Base Cup
• Active reflective base cups in combination with reflective labels were evaluated by the standard test procedure outlined in Example 1 on a different container, a 32oz water bottle container.
• the water bottle evaluated had a similar base thickness to the 32oz standard container but the sidewall thickness was a litter thinner at 12 mils compared to 15 mils for the standard test container.
• the container diameter was 3" vs. 3 ! " for the standard container.
• the height of the water bottle was 9 V. " vs. 8 V " for the standard container.
• the water bottles were evaluated using 60ml and 150ml active base cups on non-labeled containers.
• the overall temperamre reduction observed for the 60ml base cup on the 32oz water bottle was 3-4°F, while the temperature reduction for the 150ml base cup was 10- 12°F. This data shows that the temperature reduction observed on one container is not directly transferable to another; however, the present invention still reduces the overall temperature gain in the container compared to the Control.
• Example 10 32 oz Water Bottles, Reflective Label, Active Base Cup
• the water bottle was covered with a 100% reflective label and tested with the following active base cups: 100ml, 150ml, and 200 ml.
• the combination of a 100% reflective label and a 100ml active base cup on a 32oz water bottle reduced the temperature by 20-21°F.
• 150ml active base cup on a 32oz water bottle reduced the temperature by 24-25°F.
• the combination of a 100% reflective label and a 200ml active base cup on a 32oz water bottle reduced the temperature by 30-31°F.
• Example 11 Unlabeled 20oz Carbonated Soft Drink Containers, Active Base Cups
• Active base cups were evaluated by the standard test procedure outlined in Example 1 on unlabeled 20oz carbonated soft drink containers.
• the 20oz carbonated soft drink container had a diameter of 2 1 " and a height of 8.5" .
• the container was evaluated with the following base cup sizes: 60ml, 100ml, and 200ml.
• the addition of the base cup reduced the overall temperature of the carbonated soft drink container as well.
• the 60ml active base cup reduced the beverage temperature by 1-2°F
• the 100ml base cup reduced the temperature by 5-6°F
• the 200ml base cup reduced the beverage temperature by 13-14°F.

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• 2001
  • 2001-05-03 BR BR0110535-3A patent/BR0110535A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-05-03 WO PCT/US2001/040657 patent/WO2001083323A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-05-03 CN CN01812271A patent/CN1440354A/zh active Pending
  • 2001-05-03 MX MXPA02010738A patent/MXPA02010738A/es unknown
  • 2001-05-03 EP EP01933389A patent/EP1278686A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-05-03 AU AU2001259819A patent/AU2001259819A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-05-03 JP JP2001580164A patent/JP2003531779A/ja active Pending

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