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
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/36—Closures with frangible parts adapted to be pierced, torn or removed, to provide discharge openings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/40—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
  • A47J31/407—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• • 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
  • B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
• • 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
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
  • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
  • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
• • 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
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/31504—Composite [nonstructural laminate]
  • Y10T428/3154—Of fluorinated addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• • 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
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/31504—Composite [nonstructural laminate]
  • Y10T428/31652—Of asbestos
  • Y10T428/31663—As siloxane, silicone or silane
• • 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
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/31504—Composite [nonstructural laminate]
  • Y10T428/31855—Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31909—Next to second addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31913—Monoolefin polymer
• • 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
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/31504—Composite [nonstructural laminate]
  • Y10T428/31855—Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31938—Polymer of monoethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a sealed container containing a liquid food component or a solid food component for producing a fluid food product when fluid is injected into the container.
• the present disclosure also relates to a sealed container with a cover to prevent leakage of the liquid food component or liquid food product upon withdrawal of a liquid transfer device.
• the sealed containers containing a substance for the preparation of a food product, such as ground roasted coffee, tea, instant coffee, a mixture of ground coffee and of instant coffee, a chocolate -based product or any other dehydrated edible substance are known.
• the sealed containers have a dish with a bottom and a side wall and a circular edge with a diameter greater than the bottom, and a cover welded to the periphery of the edge of the dish, in which the cover consists of a flexible material that has a low permeability to oxygen, chosen from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum/plastic composite, an aluminum/plastic/paper composite, pure or multi-layer plastic.
• These sealed containers are generally used in configurations in which the cover is pierced.
• the contents of some sealed containers are extracted in the following manner.
• the container is inserted into a container holder and into an extraction cage.
• This extraction cage includes needles that pierce the top and bottom of the container. Fluid, typically water, is injected through the top needle and the food product drains through the piercing in the bottom of the container.
• Fluid typically water
• the container is removed, there is a piercing, or hole, in the bottom of the dish and this hole allows residual liquid food product and solid food component to escape. This leakage causes a problem because it soils part of the extraction machine.
• a needle or some other liquid transfer device may pierce the cover of the capsule and, as liquid is injected into the container, pressure builds and causes a rupture disk to fracture allowing extraction of the liquid, liquid food component and/or fluid food product.
• some sealed containers include a dish at the level of the bottom, in which is provided a means guaranteeing the retention of solid food component when the containers is opened or ruptured.
• the means guaranteeing the retention of solid food component is chosen from the group consisting of a fabric, a valve and foam, and the means is placed, adhesively bonded or sealed to the bottom of the cartridge.
• the present disclosure provides a sealed container in which the cover may be pierced while still providing controllable release of the contents of the container.
• the presently disclosed container comprises: (a) a cover comprising at least one elastomeric layer; and (b) a food component contained within the container, wherein the food component is a liquid food component or a solid food component, and further wherein the solid food component is configured for producing a fluid food product upon contact with a liquid; and wherein the cover is configured for puncturing by at least one liquid transfer device for injection or extraction of the liquid food component or the fluid food product, and further wherein, upon withdrawal of the at least one liquid transfer device from the container, the cover is configured for resealing itself or reducing or preventing leakage of any of the liquid, liquid food component, fluid food product, or combinations thereof.
• the presently disclosed container may further comprises (c) a barrier mounted to the container adjacent to the food component and being substantially impervious to the food component for retaining the food component within the container.
• the barrier comprises at least one elastomeric layer.
• the elastomeric layer comprises a material selected from at least one of silicone rubbers, synthetic rubber, fluoropolymer rubbers, olefinic elastomers, acrylic elastomers, polyester elastomers, polyurethane elastomers and combinations thereof.
• a rigidifying layer may be films such as biaxially oriented polyethylene or polypropylene, or cast film.
• Nonwovens, nets or metallic foils may also be used in the rigidifying layer
• the presently disclosed barrier may be configured for puncturing by the liquid transfer device.
• the barrier is configured for puncturing to extract the fluid food product.
• the presently disclosed container may include a transparent cover or a cover that is not transparent.
• the presently disclosed cover may be operably attached to the container using sonic welding. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed cover is operably attached to the container using heat sealing. In some embodiments, the cover is adhesively attached to the container. In some embodiments, the cover is mechanically attached to the container.
• the presently disclosed cover may have a thickness that is less than 500 mm in some embodiments.
• the cover comprises a resilient foam.
• the presently disclosed cover may be used to remove at least one of fluid, fluid food product and/or food component from the at least one liquid transfer device upon withdrawal of the at least one liquid transfer device from the container through the cover.
• the cover upon insertion of the at least one liquid transfer device through the cover, the cover forms a seal around an outer wall of the at least one liquid transfer device.
• the present disclosure provides a container, comprising: (a) a food component contained within the container, wherein the food component is a liquid food component or a solid food component, and further wherein the solid food component is configured for producing a fluid food product upon contact with a liquid; (b) a plunger movably secured within the container between a spring operably connected to a first surface of the plunger and the food component in contact with a second surface of the plunger; and (c) at least one liquid transfer device configured for puncturing a portion of the container in which the food component is contained, wherein the spring is biased between the first surface of the plunger and an inside surface of a portion of the container that is not in contact with the food component.
• the present disclosure provides methods of using the container of any of the preceding claims to prepare the fluid food product or the liquid food component.
• the present disclosure provides methods of using the container of any of the preceding claims to dispense the fluid food product or the liquid food component.
• FIG. 1 is a front cross section view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed container having a first liquid transfer device.
• FIG. 2 is a front cross section view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed container having a first and second liquid transfer device.
• FIG. 3 is a front cross section view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed container having a first and second liquid transfer device.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are front cross section views of an embodiment of the presently disclosed container having a first liquid transfer device and a deformable cover.
• FIGS. 6 to 8 are front cross section views of an embodiment of the presently disclosed container having a first liquid transfer device, a spring and a plunger.
• FIGS. 9 to 11 are front cross section views of various use embodiments of the container disclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5.
• FIGS. 12 to 14 are front cross section views of various use embodiments of the container disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 8.
• the presently disclosed container 10 may be any shape, such as conical, square, rectangular, and the like. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in FIG. 1, the presently disclosed container 10 has a frustroconical shaped sidewall 17, a bottom 19 and a cover 13.
• Sidewall 17 generally comprises any materials that are impervious to air and water.
• a polymeric film material, aluminum sheet material, or the like may be used as the cover.
• the container may be made from any suitable material including a plastic material (cast, injection molded, extruded, etc).
• any manner of food grade coating may be used on the surface of the sidewall that will contact a food component 14 contained therein.
• Cover 13 may be selected and constructed in various configurations depending on the use application for container 10. For example, in some embodiments, cover may be a specific thickness in order to control the amount of force required to puncture it. In some embodiments, cover 13 may be a specific thickness in order to control the amount of fluid force required to deform the shape of cover 13 to some desired amount. In some embodiments, cover 13 may be 500 micrometers or less, 400 micrometers or less, 300 micrometers or less, 200 micrometers or less, 175 micrometers or less, 150 micrometers or less, 124 micrometers or less, or even 100 micrometers or less.
• the outer surface of cover 13 may also contain some printed information and/or pictorials. The printed information for example may be instructions or the company brand. Likewise the pictorial may be a picture of how to make the drinkable liquid or the company brand.
• cover 13 comprises at least one elastomeric layer.
• Elastomeric materials useful in the present disclosure are any materials that are capable of at least a moderate degree of elastic deformation. Elastomeric materials useful in the present disclosure are selected such that any perforation in cover 13 seals around any device used to create such a perforation.
• Elastomeric materials useful in the present disclosure are also selected such that any perforation in cover 13 is resealed upon withdrawal of any device used to create such perforations.
• Elastomeric materials useful herein include silicone rubbers, synthetic rubber, fluoropolymer rubbers, and the like.
• Other elastomeric materials include natural or synthetic rubbers block copolymers that are elastomeric such as those known to those skilled in the art as A-B or A-B-A block copolymers.
• elastomeric materials include, for example, styrene/isoprene/styrene (SIS) block copolymers, elastomeric polyure thanes, ethylene copolymers such as ethylene vinyl acetates, ethylene/propylene monomer copolymer elastomers of ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer elastomers, polyester elastomers.
• SIS styrene/isoprene/styrene
• ethylene copolymers such as ethylene vinyl acetates
• ethylene/propylene monomer copolymer elastomers of ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer elastomers polyester elastomers.
• KRATON trade designation
• the chemistry of these synthetic rubbers may be based upon styrenic block co-polymers consisting of polystyrene blocks and rubber blocks.
• the rubber blocks usually comprise polybutadiene, polyisoprene or their hydrogenated equivalents.
• these synthetic rubber polymers are blended with other materials such as polyolefins, polystyrene, tackifying resins or paraffinic oils to optimize the properties.
• End block modifiers may also be added to improve the thermal properties of these elastomers.
• the present disclosure also includes other types of elastomers, such as gel elastomers, acrylic elastomers, polyester elastomers and polyurethane elastomers.
• elastomers such as gel elastomers, acrylic elastomers, polyester elastomers and polyurethane elastomers.
• examples of these materials and/or trade names include tackified SIS, n-butyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer, thermoplastic polyester elastomer (such as that commercially available under the trade designation "HYTREL” from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Willmington, Delaware, and thermoplastic urethanes commercially available under the trade designation "IROGRAN” from Huntsman Corporation, The Woodlands, Texas.
• gel elastomers may exhibit a faster flow rate after puncturing and thus enhance the speed at which a perforation can be sealed. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure to expose the elastomer or resulting cover (13) to an electron beam. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that electron beam treatment can further enhance cross link density of the elastomer.
• the elastomer layer may also be a natural rubber that may or may not contain crosslinked sites.
• cover 13 further includes an oxygen barrier, such as for example an aluminum vapor coat, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), and the like.
• PVDC polyvinylidene chloride
• EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer
• the elastomeric layer also includes a tackifier or combination of tackifiers.
• the tackifier may enhance flow of elastomeric material in the elastomeric layer to provide perforation re-sealing properties.
• tackifiers examples include those commercially available under the trade designation “ESCOREX 2203" from ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, Texas.
• ESCOREZ examples of commercially available tackifiers are those commercially available under the trade designation “ESCOREZ” from ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
• cover 13 is transparent. In some embodiments, cover 13 is not transparent, such as for example having a particular color or pattern therein.
• cover 13 comprises the same material as sidewall 17.
• Bottom 19 may be comprised of the same material as sidewall 17 or cover 13 depending of the application for which container 10 is made.
• Cover 13 and/or bottom 19 are integrally or operably attached to sidewall 17. Examples of operably attachment include heat sealing, sonic welding, adhesively attaching, mechanically attaching, and the like.
• the adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive, a curing hot melt adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, a crosslinked polymer and the like.
• cover 13 may be attached to sidewall 17 using a clamp sealing or ring sealing mechanism thereby sealing the outer edge of container 10 in which cover 13 may form a compression seal similar to using a gasket under a clamp ring.
• Food component 14 is contained within a portion of container 10 while providing a volume 15 for receiving liquid.
• Food component 14 may be a liquid, a solid or a mixture thereof.
• a liquid transfer device 12 may be inserted in cover 13 in order to transfer liquid in and/or out of container 10.
• Liquid transfer device 12 may be any device capable of delivering liquid, such as a device having a needle like configuration, a tube, a pipe, or the like.
• liquid transfer device 12 is sharpened on the end that pierces cover 13 in order to facilitate puncture of cover 13.
• cover 13 is scored, indented, or otherwise mechanically altered to receive liquid transfer device 12.
• container 10 may be pierced in more than one location by more than one liquid transfer device.
• a second liquid transfer device 16 piercing bottom 19 of container 10.
• liquid transfer devices 12, 16 may facilitate the flow of liquid both into and out of container 10.
• filter material 18 comprises any type of woven or non-woven or open cell foam filter materials, including paper, metals, synthetics, and the like.
• filter material 18 may be a barrier comprising a material similar to that selected as cover 13.
• barrier may comprise at least one elastomeric layer similar to that disclosed with respect to cover 13.
• container may be pierced in the same general location by more than one liquid transfer device.
• a second liquid transfer device 16 and a third liquid transfer device 20 both piercing bottom 19 of container 10.
• a plurality of liquid transfer devices may be used to pierce container 10 in a plurality if locations depending on the application for which container 10 is being used.
• cover 13 is elastomerically deformable to provide mechanical ejection of liquid food component or fluid food product provided in container 10.
• liquid may be injected into container via at least one liquid transfer device (such as second liquid transfer device 16 as depicted).
• a plurality of liquid transfer devices may be used to pierce container 10 in a plurality of locations on container 10. Injection of the liquid can be done during packaging of a liquid food component and/or during preparation of a fluid food product.
• container 10 includes food component 14 that may optionally be separated from a volume 15 for receiving liquid or liquid food component using any type of separation layer.
• separation of food component 14 from volume 15 is provided by using an upper filter 21.
• filter material 18 can be used between food component 14 and bottom 19.
• Upper filter 19 and filter material 18 comprise any type of woven or non-woven or open cell foam filter materials, including paper, metals, synthetics, and the like.
• FIGS. 6 to 8 depict various positions of another embodiment of the presently disclosed container 10 having a sidewall 17, a cover 13 and a bottom 19, which may comprise the same or different materials.
• container 10 has a spring 24 operably connected to a plunger 26 where plunger 26 contacts or is adjacent to food component 14.
• Spring 24 can be extended or compressed depending on the volume of food component, liquid and/or fluid food component in container 10.
• spring 24 can be in a compressed position when a liquid is injected through at least one liquid transfer device 16. Spring 24 may remain this compressed position while a certain amount of pressure is exerted on the liquid.
• Spring 24 and plunger 26 may then provide mechanical force by re -extension of spring, as shown in FIG. 8, such that liquid food component, liquid and/or fluid food product is expelled from container 10.
• filter material 18 can be used between food component 14 and bottom 19.
• a plurality of liquid transfer devices may be used to pierce container 10 in a plurality of locations on container 10. Injection of the liquid can be done during packaging of a liquid food component and/or during preparation of a fluid food product.
• container 10 may be operably connected to a liquid supply 32, such as that depicted in FIGS. 9 to 11.
• liquid supply 32 provides liquid to a directional control valve 34 useful for allowing liquid into container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16.
• Control valve 34 may also be useful for preventing liquid to flow into container 10.
• Control valve 34 may also be useful for allowing liquid, liquid food product and/or fluid food component to flow out of container 10 via discharge 36.
• container 10 has a side wall 17, bottom 19 and cover 13.
• Cover 13 is comprises at least one elastomeric layer such that it is elastomerically deformable.
• Container 10 also contains food component 14.
• Container 10 may also optionally include filter material 18 between food component 14 and bottom 19.
• directional control valve 34 is in a "closed" position, meaning that liquid is not allowed to flow from liquid supply 32 to container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16.
• FIG. 10 depicts embodiments in which directional control valve 34 is in a "fill” position allowing liquid to flow from liquid supply 32 to container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16.
• Cover 13 deforms as the volume of liquid in container 10 increases.
• FIG. 11 depicts embodiments in which directional control valve 34 is in a "discharge” position allowing liquid to flow out of container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16 and through discharge 36 while preventing more liquid to flow into container 10 from liquid supply 32.
• Embodiments according to FIG. 11 provide at least some degree of mechanical ejection of liquid food component or fluid food product contained in container 10 as cover 13 resumes its original shape.
• liquid may be injected into container via at least one liquid transfer device (such as second liquid transfer device 16 as depicted).
• a plurality of liquid transfer devices may be used to pierce container 10 in a plurality of locations on container 10. Injection of the liquid can be done during packaging of a liquid food component and/or during preparation of a fluid food product.
• container 10 may be operably connected to a liquid supply 32, such as that depicted in FIGS. 12 to 14.
• liquid supply 32 provides liquid to a directional control valve 34 useful for allowing liquid into container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16.
• Control valve 34 may also be useful for preventing liquid to flow into container 10.
• Control valve 34 may also be useful for allowing liquid, liquid food product and/or fluid food component to flow out of container 10 via discharge 36.
• container 10 has a spring 24 operably connected to a plunger 26 where plunger 26 contacts or is adjacent to food component 14.
• Container 10 may also optionally include filter material 18 between food component 14 and bottom 19.
• directional control valve 34 is in a "closed" position, meaning that liquid is not allowed to flow from liquid supply 32 to container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16. Plunger 26 remains in a neutral state allowing spring 24 to remain in an extended position.
• FIG. 13 depicts embodiments in which directional control valve 34 is in a "fill” position allowing liquid to flow from liquid supply 32 to container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16. As liquid flows into container 10 from, plunger 26 is biased toward cover 13 causing spring 24 to move into a compressed position.
• FIG. 14 depicts embodiments in which directional control valve 34 is in a "discharge” position allowing liquid to flow out of container 10 via at least one liquid transfer device 16 and through discharge 36 while preventing more liquid to flow into container 10 from liquid supply 32.
• Embodiments according to FIG. 11 provide at least some degree of mechanical ejection of liquid food component or fluid food product contained in container 10 as spring 24 moves into an extended position and plunger 26 resumes its original, neutral position.
• liquid may be injected into container via at least one liquid transfer device (such as second liquid transfer device 16 as depicted).
• a plurality of liquid transfer devices may be used to pierce container 10 in a plurality of locations on container 10. Injection of the liquid can be done during packaging of a liquid food component and/or during preparation of a fluid food product.
• the food component may be any desirable edible component. Some examples include ground roasted coffee, tea, instant coffee, a mixture of ground coffee and of instant coffee, a chocolate -based product, dehydrated milk based product or any other dehydrated edible substance are known.
• the food component may also be a liquid including water, fruit juice, vegetable juice, flavored liquids, alcohol containing beverages, carbonated beverages (including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic types).
• the liquid coming into contact with the food component may range in temperature from about 0°C to about 100°C, typically about 50°C to about 90°C.
• the liquid that is injected into the container may be water (including deionized water, tap water, distilled water, carbonated water and the like), milk (including cream, whole milk, 2% milk, 1 % milk, skim milk and the like) or any other suitable liquid.
• the presently disclosed cover 13 may comprise layers in addition to the elastomeric layer.
• a non-elastomeric layer may be included above or below the elastomeric layer.
• the elastomeric layer may be sandwiched in between two other non-elastomeric polymer layers.
• the desired degree of puncture resistance and ability to seal and reseal may be affected by adjusting the properties of the film.
• plastic materials include thermoplastics such as polyethylenes, polypropylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides, ethylene vinyl alcohol and combinations thereof.
• thermosets examples include dyglycicyl esters of bisphenol A epoxy resins, bisphenol A dicynate esters, orthophthalic unsaturated polyesters, bisphenol A vinyl esters and the like.
• An example of a cover construction having three layers is polypropylene, synthetic rubber elastomer and polyethylene. Alternately, a construction may include three layers of polyolefin, synthetic rubber elastomer and polyester. In some embodiments, a three layer construction includes a polyolefin, synthetic rubber elastomer and an adhesive film layer. The adhesive layer may also bond the cover to the container. In some instances the synthetic rubber elastomer in these examples may be replaced with a silicone elastomer. These three layers each range in thickness from 20 to 500 micrometers. It is also within the scope of this invention to apply a vapor deposited barrier coating over one surface.
• Multilayer films useful in the present disclosure may be formed by any conventional techniques, such as coating, laminating, co-extruding, stepwise extruding, cast films, blown films and the like. Examples of co-extrusion processes may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,557,265 and 3,479,425. The layers are typically coextruded through a specialized feedblock or specialized die that will bring diverse materials into contact while forming the film. Alternating layers of elastomeric films and non-elastomeric films may be used. Films useful in the present disclosure may have anywhere from 3 to 100 layers of different film combinations, such as 3 to 10 layers.
• the multilayer film comprises two polyolefin layers having an elastomeric film layer therebetween. Additionally the elastomeric film layer(s) and non-elastomeric film layer(s) may be the same thickness or different thicknesses.
• the cover may be manufactured on a continuous basis and then converted into the desired shape and size of the end desired cover. This converting may be accomplished using any conventional method including die cutting, rotary die cutting, laser cutting, water jet cutting and the like.
• the processing conditions will be optimized to achieve the desired polymer properties. These processing conditions include the chill and/or quench temperatures.
• a porous material may be placed on top or bottom of the elastomeric layer.
• typical porous materials include: scrims, grids, screens, foamed substrate, nonwovens, patterned substrates and the like.
• the amount of porosity in the porous material can be optimized depending on the cover. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the elastomeric material in the elastomeric layer can flow through the porous material to provide re-sealing of perforations. Likewise the porous material provides or acts as a spacer in the cover.
• re-sealing can be achieved by providing porosity in the cover itself. This can be accomplished through various techniques, such as foaming techniques or injecting gas into any of various layers in the cover during processing.
• the elastomeric layer is applied such that it has porosity or air gaps between itself and the layer above or below it. During extrusion for example, the elastomeric layer is non- uniformly applied to the upper lid creating air bubbles or air gaps.
• expandable materials such as expandable microspheres
• Expandable microspheres include those commercially available under the trade designation "EXPANCEL” from Eka Chemicals Inc., Duluth, Georgia.
• An examplary cover made using expandable microspheres includes a multi-layer film construction of 2 or more layers in which one or more than one layer contains an additive/filler, which can be a blowing agent, such as expanding microspheres. This multi-layer film can be adhered to the top surface of the cover by using a pressure sensitive adhesive which is coated to one of the two outside layers of the multilayer film.
• the multi-layer film is a multi-layer film patch, which only covers a portion of the top (area) of the presently disclosed capsule cover. In some embodiments, this multi-layer film is laminated to previously disclosed cover films, which then cover the entire top (area) of the presently disclosed capsule cover.
• an intermediate layer between the elastomeric layer and the layer above and/or below it.
• This intermediate layer is selected such that there is poor or low adhesion between the elastomeric layer and the intermediate layer.
• the low adhesion between the elastomeric layer and the intermediate layer enables the elastomeric layer to separate from the intermediate layer thereby allowing the elastomeric material in the elastomeric layer to flow through the perforation(s) for re-sealing.
• an elastomeric layer of polypropylene skins with a styrenic block copolymer core can be formulated to have low adhesion to an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, which could be useful as an intermediate layer in the present disclosure.
• the presently disclosed cover includes a combination of a mesh layer with an elastomeric layer where the elastomeric layer includes a tackifier.
• the mesh layer provides space to enable the tackified elastomeric material in the elastomeric layer to flow and re-seal the perforation(s).
• the presently disclosed cover includes a combination of an elastomeric layer where the elastomeric layer is attached with an adhesive which softens at temperatures of the injected liquid.
• an adhesive which softens at temperatures of the injected liquid.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
• Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=47558714

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (8)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2012
  • 2012-07-19 JP JP2014521746A patent/JP2014527426A/ja active Pending
  • 2012-07-19 WO PCT/US2012/047272 patent/WO2013012971A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2012-07-19 US US14/232,779 patent/US20140220192A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2012-07-19 CN CN201280035365.7A patent/CN103687794B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-07-19 EP EP20120814587 patent/EP2734457A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2012-07-19 BR BR112014001161A patent/BR112014001161A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events