WO2020040888A1 - Finition étendue de préforme pour transfomer des bouteilles respectueuses de l'environnement légères - Google Patents

Finition étendue de préforme pour transfomer des bouteilles respectueuses de l'environnement légères Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020040888A1
WO2020040888A1 PCT/US2019/040587 US2019040587W WO2020040888A1 WO 2020040888 A1 WO2020040888 A1 WO 2020040888A1 US 2019040587 W US2019040587 W US 2019040587W WO 2020040888 A1 WO2020040888 A1 WO 2020040888A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
preform
finish
heat
wall thickness
neck portion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2019/040587
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jay Clarke Hanan
Original Assignee
Niagara Bottling, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US16/044,299 external-priority patent/US10829260B2/en
Application filed by Niagara Bottling, Llc filed Critical Niagara Bottling, Llc
Priority to JP2021504306A priority Critical patent/JP2021531189A/ja
Priority to CA3107644A priority patent/CA3107644A1/fr
Priority to EP19851368.1A priority patent/EP3826817A4/fr
Priority to MX2021000971A priority patent/MX2021000971A/es
Priority to AU2019324344A priority patent/AU2019324344A1/en
Publication of WO2020040888A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020040888A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
    • B29B11/00—Making preforms
    • B29B11/14—Making preforms characterised by structure or composition
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/071—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/0715—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration the preform having one end closed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/072—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable wall thickness
    • B29C2949/0722—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable wall thickness at neck portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/072—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable wall thickness
    • B29C2949/0723—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable wall thickness at flange portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/073—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter
    • B29C2949/0732—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter at flange portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/073—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter
    • B29C2949/0733—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter at body portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/074—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having ribs or protrusions
    • B29C2949/0744—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having ribs or protrusions at neck portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0761—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by overall the shape
    • B29C2949/0762—Conical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0768—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform
    • B29C2949/0769—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform characterised by the lip, i.e. very top of preform neck
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0768—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform
    • B29C2949/078—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform characterised by the bottom
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/20—Preforms or parisons whereby a specific part is made of only one component, e.g. only one layer
    • B29C2949/24—Preforms or parisons whereby a specific part is made of only one component, e.g. only one layer at flange portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/20—Preforms or parisons whereby a specific part is made of only one component, e.g. only one layer
    • B29C2949/26—Preforms or parisons whereby a specific part is made of only one component, e.g. only one layer at body portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/20—Preforms or parisons whereby a specific part is made of only one component, e.g. only one layer
    • B29C2949/28—Preforms or parisons whereby a specific part is made of only one component, e.g. only one layer at bottom portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
    • B29C49/06—Injection blow-moulding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/64—Heating or cooling preforms, parisons or blown articles
    • B29C49/6604—Thermal conditioning of the blown article
    • B29C49/6605—Heating the article, e.g. for hot fill
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C71/0063—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor for changing crystallisation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B29K2067/003—PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7158—Bottles

Definitions

  • the field of the present disclosure generally relates to plastic bottles and preforms. More particularly, the field of the present disclosure relates to plastic performs and bottles blown from such preforms that are suitable for containing beverages and utilize less resin such that they are lighter in weight than conventional bottles.
  • PET containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several decades.
  • the most common plastic used in making beverage containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
  • Containers made of PET are transparent, thin walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding the force exerted on the walls of the container by their contents.
  • PET resins are also reasonably priced and easy to process.
  • PET bottles are generally made by a process that includes the blow-molding of plastic preforms which have been made by injection molding of the PET resin.
  • plastic packaging include lighter weight and decreased breakage as compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and transportation into account.
  • plastic packaging is lighter in weight than glass, there is still great interest in creating the lightest possible plastic packaging so as to maximize the cost savings in both transportation and manufacturing by making and using containers that contain less plastic.
  • a new approach which relies on a general change in preform design has been invented, which significantly improves the ability to blow efficient, lightweight bottles.
  • the design elegantly incorporates features for protecting critical dimensions of the bottle and stabilizing the production blowing process. These features may also utilize less resin while achieving suitable mechanical performance resulting in a reduction in the use of petroleum products by the industry.
  • a plastic preform suitable for forming a bottle, and a bottle or container made from such a preform.
  • the preform comprises a neck portion adapted to engage a closure and including a support ring at its lowermost point, the neck portion having a first wall thickness, and an elongated body portion including a generally cylindrical wall portion and an end cap.
  • the upper segment of the body portion adjacent to the support ring has a second wall thickness substantially similar to the first wall thickness and less than a third wall thickness in a lower segment of the body portion.
  • the second wall thickness is about 25% to about 40% of the third wall thickness; the second wall thickness is about 25% to about 30% of the third wall thickness; the second wall thickness is about 0.7 mm to about 0.8 mm; an axial length of the upper segment is about 25% or more of an axial length of the neck portion; and/or an axial length of the upper segment is about 25% to about 35% of an axial length of the neck portion.
  • the second wall thickness is thicker or thinner than the first wall thickness by 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.4 mm. Containers or bottles made from such preforms are also disclosed herein.
  • a plastic preform comprising a neck portion often including a support ring, wherein the neck portion has a first wall thickness, and a body portion including an elongated cylindrical wall having upper, middle and lower segments, wherein the middle segment has a second wall thickness and the lower segment of the body portion includes an end cap.
  • the upper segment of the body portion has a wall thickness substantially similar to the first wall thickness and less than the second wall thickness and/or the axial length of the upper segment is about 25% or more of the axial length of the neck portion.
  • the upper segment wall thickness is about 25% to about 40% of the second wall thickness; the upper segment wall thickness is about 25% to about 30% of the second wall thickness; the upper segment wall thickness is about 0.7 mm to about 0.8 mm; and/or an axial length of the upper segment is about 25% to about 35% of an axial length of the neck portion.
  • the upper segment wall thickness is thicker or thinner than the first wall thickness by 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.4 mm. Containers or bottles made from such preforms are also disclosed herein.
  • a preform suitable for being blow-molded to form a container comprises a neck portion comprising an opening to an interior of the preform; a tapered portion comprising a smooth transition from a diameter of the neck portion to a smaller diameter of a cylindrical portion comprising an elongate member that extends to an end cap; and a finish disposed on the neck portion and configured to threadably receive a cap.
  • the tapered portion comprises a wall thickness that smoothly transitions from a wall thickness of the neck portion to a relatively greater wall thickness of the cylindrical portion, the wall thickness of the tapered portion and the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion being suitable for being blow-molded into a predetermined shape and size of the container.
  • the finish comprises one or more threads configured to rotatably engage with threads disposed within the cap.
  • the one or more threads each extends along a section of the circumference of the neck portion.
  • the one or more threads are spaced uniformly around the circumference of the neck portion.
  • adjacent of the one or more threads share an intervening valley configured to allow passage of a thread disposed in the cap.
  • the neck portion comprises a plurality of internal columns disposed within the opening and configured to impart a degree of structural integrity to the neck portion and reduce an amount of material comprising the preform.
  • the plurality of internal columns comprises three internal columns that are positioned at substantially 120-degree intervals around the circumference of the neck portion.
  • the neck portion comprises one or more exterior columns configured to maintain a necessary degree of structural integrity of the preform and reduce the amount of material comprising the preform.
  • the one or more exterior columns are disposed uniformly around the perimeter of the neck portion, each of the exterior columns comprising a vertically aligned thicker region of the neck portion.
  • the one or more exterior columns are positioned in locations around the perimeter of the neck portion that coincide with the locations of internal columns within the opening of the neck portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more exterior columns are positioned at specific intervals between the locations of internal columns within the opening of the neck portion. In another exemplary embodiment, adjacent exterior and interior columns are separated by 60-degree intervals around the circumference of the neck portion.
  • the neck portion comprises a bevel disposed at a beginning of the opening and configured to enter into sliding contact with a sealing flange of the cap, the bevel being configured to compress the sealing flange to a predetermined degree, thereby forming a tight seal suitable to retain pressurized contents within the container.
  • a preform suitable for being blow-molded to form a container comprises a neck portion comprising an opening to an interior of the preform; a body portion comprising a tapered portion that smoothly transitions from the neck portion to a cylindrical portion and an end cap, the body portion comprising a wall thickness suitable for being blow-molded into a desired shape and size of the container; a finish disposed on the neck portion and configured to threadably receive a cap; a plurality of internal columns disposed within the opening; one or more exterior columns disposed around the perimeter of the neck portion; and a bevel disposed at a beginning of the opening and configured to receive a sealing flange of the cap.
  • the plurality of internal columns and the one or more exterior columns are configured to maintain a degree of structural integrity of the neck portion and reduce the amount of material required to form the preform.
  • the tapered portion comprises a smooth transition from a diameter and a wall thickness of the neck portion to a relatively smaller diameter and a greater wall thickness of the cylindrical portion.
  • the finish comprises at least three threads configured to rotatably engage with threads disposed within the cap, and wherein an intervening valley is disposed between adjacent of the at least three threads and configured to allow passage of a thread disposed in the cap.
  • each of the at least three threads extends along a section of the circumference of the neck portion.
  • the section comprises substantially 144-degrees of the circumference.
  • the at least three threads are spaced uniformly around the circumference of the neck portion.
  • a PET preform for forming a heat-set container comprises: a cylindrical portion configured to be blow-molded into the heat-set container; and a neck portion that couples a finish with the cylindrical portion.
  • the neck portion tapers from the finish to a diameter of the cylindrical portion.
  • a wall thickness of the neck portion smoothly transitions to a predetermined wall thickness of the cylindrical portion.
  • the predetermined wall thickness is suitable for being blow-molded into the heat-set container.
  • the predetermined wall thickness is configured for being blow-molded into a heat-set container suitable for containing pressurized contents.
  • the predetermined wall thickness is selected such that the heat-set container may be configured to withstand nitrogen hot-filling with pressurized contents.
  • the finish includes an opening to an interior of the cylindrical portion.
  • the finish is configured to accommodate a relatively large headspace suitable for nitrogen hot-filling the heat-set container with pressurized contents.
  • the finish includes at least one thread configured to rotatably engage with threads disposed in a cap.
  • the opening includes a bevel configured to receive a sealing flange disposed in a cap so as to form a seal suitable to retain pressurized contents within the heat-set container.
  • the at least one thread extends along a section of the circumference of the finish.
  • the at last one thread includes three threads that are uniformly spaced around the circumference of the finish.
  • a PET preform for forming a heat-set container comprises: a cylindrical portion configured to be blow-molded into the heat-set container; a neck portion coupled with the cylindrical portion; and a finish disposed on the neck portion and including an opening to an interior of the cylindrical portion.
  • the cylindrical portion includes a wall thickness that is suitable for being blow-molded into a heat-set container capable of withstanding nitrogen hot-filling of the container with pressurized contents.
  • the neck portion tapers from a diameter of the finish to a diameter of the cylindrical portion.
  • a wall thickness of the neck portion transitions to a predetermined wall thickness of the cylindrical portion.
  • the predetermined wall thickness is suitable for blow-molding at least the cylindrical portion into a heat-set container capable of withstanding nitrogen hot-filling the heat- set container with pressurized contents.
  • the finish is configured to receive a container cap so as to retain pressurized contents within the heat-set container.
  • at least one thread is circumferentially disposed on the finish and configured to rotatably engage with threads disposed in the container cap.
  • the finish is configured to accommodate a headspace suitable for nitrogen hot-filling the heat-set container with pressurized contents.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a preform suitable for being blow-molded to form a bottle, according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary preform without an extended lightweight finish
  • Figure 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary preform without an extended lightweight finish
  • Figure 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a preform in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a preform in the cavity of a blow-molding apparatus of the type that may be used to make a bottle or container, according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 4 illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a bottle or container that has been blow-molded by way of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3, according to the present disclosure
  • Figure5A illustrates a micro-CT slice of a neck and upper body of an exemplary preform as illustrated in Fig. 2A;
  • Figure 5B illustrates a micro-CT slice of the neck and upper body of an exemplary embodiment of a preform as is illustrated in Fig. 2C, in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 6 illustrates a superimposition of micro-CT slices of an exemplary preform as illustrated in Fig. 5B and a bottle blown therefrom;
  • Figure 7A illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a preform suitable for being blow-molded to form a bottle in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the preform illustrated in Fig. 7A, taken along a line 7B-7B, according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the preform illustrated in Fig. 7A, taken along a line 7C-7C in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 8 A illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a neck portion suitable for being incorporated into a preform, such as illustrated in Fig. 7A, in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary neck portion illustrated in Fig. 8A, taken along a line 8B-8B, according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 8C illustrates a close up, detail view of a portion of the cross-sectional view illustrated in Fig. 8B, in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 9 A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary neck portion illustrated in Fig. 8 A, taken along a line 9A-9A, in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 9B illustrates a close up, detail view of a cross-sectional profile of threads illustrated in Fig. 9A, in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 9C illustrates a close up, detail view of a cross-sectional profile of a neck ring illustrated in Fig. 9A, according to the present disclosure.
  • Figure 9D illustrates a close up, detail view of a cross-sectional profile of a support ring illustrated in Fig. 9 A, in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a preform 30 suitable for being blow-molded to form a bottle, according to the present disclosure.
  • the preform is preferably made of material approved for contact with food and beverages such as virgin PET and can be of any of a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
  • the preform shown in Fig. 1 is of the type which will form a 12-16 oz. beverage bottle, but as will be understood by those skilled in the art, other preform configurations may be used depending upon the desired configuration, characteristics and use of the final article.
  • the preform 30 may be made by injection molding methods including those that are well known in the art.
  • Figure 2 A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary preform 30.
  • the preform 30 has a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34, formed monolithically (i.e., as a single, or unitary, structure).
  • the monolithic arrangement of the preform when blow-molded into a bottle, provides greater dimensional stability and improved physical properties in comparison to a preform constructed of separate neck and body portions, which are bonded together.
  • the neck portion 32 begins at an opening 36 to an interior of the preform 30 and extends to and includes a support ring 38.
  • the neck portion 32 is further characterized by the presence of a structure for engaging a closure.
  • the structure includes threads 40, which provide a means to fasten a cap to the bottle produced from the preform 30.
  • the illustrated preform has a shorter overall neck area than most conventional preforms, which shorter neck area may also be thinner than in conventional preforms.
  • the thickness of the neck area 52A is measured at the very top or between the threads or any other protruding structures.
  • the body portion 34 comprises an elongated structure extending down from the neck portion 32 and culminating in an end cap 42.
  • the body portion 34 may be generally cylindrical, and the end cap 42 may be conical or frustoconical and may also be hemispherical, and the very terminus of the end cap may be flattened or rounded.
  • the preform wall thickness 44 through most of the body portion 34 will depend upon the overall size of the preform 30 and the wall thickness and overall size of the resulting container.
  • the preform wall thickness between 48A and 50A is slightly thinner than the wall thickness throughout the straight portion of the body portion, both of which are thicker than at 46A immediately below the support ring 38. A slight taper often below 0.01 mm may also be found from 50 A to 44 to help with release of the injected preform from the core during processing.
  • Figure 2B illustrates a cross-section of another embodiment of a prior art preform 30.
  • the preform 30 has a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34.
  • the neck portion 32 of the preform is of an axial length as may be found in conventional preforms.
  • the thickness of the upper segment or portion of the body portion 46B is of a similar thickness as the neck portion 52B, it is also substantially similar thickness or the same thickness as the remainder of the body portion of the preform (e.g. 44B, 50B).
  • the preform illustrated in Fig. 2C is substantially thicker in the middle segment (e.g. 44C) of the body and in the end cap 42 than in the upper segment (e.g. 46C) of the body portion, which is of a similar thickness or same thickness as the neck portion 52C.
  • the upper segment of the body portion (e.g. 46C) may be thinner than the neck portion 52C.
  • the preform 30 illustrated in Fig. 2C has a reduced thickness in the upper portion of the body portion 34 of the preform below the support ring 38, in that point 46C is substantially thinner than the corresponding location 46A in the prior art preform, 48C is of similar thickness to 46C which is much thinner than 48A of the prior art preform, and the thickness increases from point 48C to 50C, at which point the body portion 34 transitions into the straight portion of the preform having the thickness 44C.
  • Preforms and containers blown from such preforms having such a thinned area at the uppermost portion of the body portion are sometimes referred to herein as having an“extended finish.”
  • a further illustration of this difference, in accordance with one embodiment, can be seen in Fig. 5B and Fig. 6.
  • the preform 30 illustrated in Fig. 2C also has a shorter overall neck area than most conventional preforms. As will be appreciated, the shorter neck area may also be thinner than in conventional preforms.
  • the thickness at 46C is about 20-50% of the thickness at 46A
  • the thickness at 48C is about 20-60% of the thickness at 48A
  • the thickness at 50C is about 80-100% of the thickness at 50A.
  • the thicknesses of 46C and 48C differ by less than about 20%, including less than about 10%, or they are substantially the same thickness.
  • the thickness at 46C is about 0.7 mm
  • the thickness at 48C is about 0.8
  • the thickness at 50C is about 2 mm.
  • the thickness at 46A is about 1.5 mm the thickness at 48A is about 2 mm, and the thickness at 50A is about 2.5 mm.
  • the thickness at 46C is about 0.7 mm
  • the thickness at 48C is about 1 mm
  • the thickness at 50C is about 2.4 mm, compared to about 1.2 mm at 46A, about 1.8 mm at 48 A, and about 2.4 mm at 50A in a prior art preform.
  • the thickness at 46C is about 0.75 mm
  • the thickness at 48C is about 1 mm
  • the thickness at 50C is about 2.6 mm, compared to about 1.5 mm at 46A, about 1.9 mm at 48A, and about 2.7 mm at 50A in a prior art preform.
  • the total weight of a preform used to form an 8 oz. bottle according to Fig. 2C is about 7 grams as compared to about 12.5 grams for a preform according to Fig. 2A.
  • the total weight of a preform used to form a 16.9 oz. bottle according to Fig. 2C is about 8.5 grams as compared to about 9.2 grams for a preform according to Fig. 2A.
  • the total weight of a preform used to form a 33.8 oz. bottle according to Fig. 2C is about 18.3 grams as compared to about 26 grams for a preform according to Fig. 2A.
  • the dimensions in other useful embodiments of preforms may vary from the above-stated dimensions by between substantially 0.1 mm and substantially 1 mm, inclusive.
  • the upper segment of the body portion of the preform which is adjacent to the support ring, has a thickness that is substantially similar to the thickness 52C of the neck portion 32.
  • the thicknesses of the upper segment and the neck portion 32 may differ by +/- 0 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.4 mm.
  • the thicknesses of the upper segment and the neck may differ by up to 10%, up to 20%, or up to 30%. Accordingly, the thickness of the upper segment of the body portion of the preform may be substantially the same thickness, or it may be either thicker or thinner than the neck portion 52C.
  • the thickness of the upper segment of the body portion 34 of the preform is less than that of a middle or lower segment of the body portion.
  • the wall thickness of the upper section is about 10% to about 40% of the thickness of the lower and/or middle section of the body, including about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 30%, about 25% to about 35%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, including about 12%, about 13%, about 17%, about 19%, about 22%, about 24%, about 27%, about 29%, about 31%, and about 33%, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the wall thickness of the upper segment of the body is about 0.3 mm to about 0.9 mm, including about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm, about 0.4 mm to about 0.7 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 0.9 mm, about 0.7 mm to about 0.8 mm, including about 0.35 mm, about 0.45 m , about 0.55 mm, about 0.65 mm, about 0.75 mm, and about 0.85 mm, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the axial length of the upper segment measures about 20% or more, including about 25% or more of the axial length of the neck portion, including about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 30%, and about 25% to about 35% of the axial length of the neck portion.
  • Preforms may include one or more or all of the features described above.
  • a preform such as that depicted in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C
  • the preform is subjected to a stretch blow-molding process.
  • a preform 50 is placed in a mold 80 having a cavity corresponding to a desired container shape.
  • the preform 50 is then heated and expanded by stretching such as by a stretch rod inserted into the center of the preform to push it to the end of the mold and by air forced into the interior of the preform 50 to fill the cavity within the mold 80, creating a container 82.
  • the blow-molding operation normally is restricted to the body portion 34 of the preform with the neck portion 32, including the support ring 38, retaining the original configuration as in the preform.
  • preforms are conventionally loaded onto a spindle which engages the inner wall of the neck portion of the preform and facilitates transporting the preform into and through the stretch blow-molding machinery.
  • the spindle loads into the preform the full extent of the extended neck finish. This may be accomplished by adjusting the depth to which the spindle loads and/or by changing the spindle to have sufficient length to extend the greater distance.
  • the extended spindle loading depth helps to maintain the dimensions of the extended neck finish, especially in those embodiments where the extended neck finish is relatively thin such that the dimensional stability of the lower part of the extended neck finish and/or the lower part of the upper segment of the body portion would otherwise be at risk due to exposure to heating elements and/or elevated temperatures in other portions of the body during the stretch blow-molding process.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container 82 that may be made by way of blow-molding the preform 50 of Fig. 3, or the preforms 30 illustrated in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C.
  • the container 82 has a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34 corresponding to the neck and body portions of the preforms 30 illustrated in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C.
  • the neck portion 32 is further characterized by the presence of threads 40 or other closure engagement means that provides a way to fasten a cap onto the container 82.
  • the extended finish preforms disclosed herein which may incorporate other lightweighting features described herein such as a shorter and/or thinner neck and/or thinner walls in the body portion, can also have the advantage of being produced using a lower cycle time in molding.
  • Lower cycle time increases the number of preforms that can be made by a single piece of equipment in a day and can lower the total energy needed to produce a single preform, resulting in additional cost savings to the manufacturer.
  • this region does not need to be stretched during blow molding, it does not need to be heated and the blow-molding procedure and apparatus may be adjusted such that the uppermost portion or upper segment of the preform/container body (in the area of the extended finish) is not heated, or heated very little as compared to the bulk of the body of the preform, as part the blow-molding process.
  • This change is easy to accommodate in modem equipment and makes the production process easier and more stable.
  • the position of the cooling rail or shims may be adjusted to provide greater protection from heat for the extended finish, the intensity of the heating element(s) may be adjusted, and/or the position of the heating element(s) may be adjusted.
  • preforms having an extended finish may be blow-molded in conventional processes that actively heat the lower portion of the extended finish (i.e. the uppermost portion of the body), but such processes are generally less effective in creating consistently stable bottles during production.
  • the wall thickness at the lower segment of the neck portion of the preform is lessened as described hereinabove to reduce the amount of material needed to form the preform while still maintaining the necessary degree of structural integrity to allow for ease in blow-molding to form a container that has sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the forces exerted on it during formation, filling, transportation and use.
  • the width of the support ring may be increased as compared to that in a standard shorter finish. Given that a 0.6 mm width to the support ring (as in a standard shorter finish) provides forces upon a finger that are considered to be within the pain threshold for a finger, increasing the width may provide greater comfort for the consumer. Accordingly, a width of at least about 1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.8 mm, 2 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.4 mm, 2.6 mm or greater would provide greater comfort to the consumer when opening the closure.
  • changes may be made to the cap including by increasing the apparent cap diameter such as by providing ribs on the tamper ring that are of greater height than the remaining cap.
  • changes may be made to the cap including by increasing the apparent cap diameter such as by providing ribs on the tamper ring that are of greater height than the remaining cap.
  • Other reasons to widen the ring include conveyor handling, heat sink properties of the ring, better feel when opening the container, greater resistance to damage during processing and transport. It should be noted that increasing the width of the support ring is counter to lightweighting, such that it should be balanced with other considerations when designing a preform and container.
  • the containers be blow-molded in accordance with processes generally known for heat set blow-molding, including, but not limited to, those which involve orienting and heating in the mold, and those which involve steps of blowing, relaxing and reblowing.
  • the mold 80 can quickly cool the container during this process, especially with high heat transfer material absorbing heat from the container at a high rate.
  • the blow-mold may be used to produce crystalline neck finishes.
  • the neck portion of the blow-mold and the body portion of the blow-mold can selectively control the temperature of the preform/container to achieve a desired amount of crystallization.
  • the neck portion of the preform/container can be heated and gradually reduced in temperature to produce a desired amount of crystalline material.
  • a PET preform may be configured for forming a heat-set container, such as by way of blow-molding the preform in accordance with processes generally known for heat-set blow-molding.
  • the PET preform may be comprised of a cylindrical portion configured to be blow-molded into the heat-set container capable of withstanding being nitrogen hot-filled with pressurized contents.
  • a neck portion may configured to couple a finish with the cylindrical portion.
  • the finish generally includes an opening to an interior of the cylindrical portion.
  • the finish may be configured to accommodate a relatively large headspace suitable for nitrogen hot-filling the heat-set container with pressurized contents.
  • the finish may include at least one thread that is circumferentially disposed on the finish and configured to rotatably engage with threads in a container cap so as to retain pressurized contents within the heat-set container.
  • the neck portion of the PET preform may be tapered from a diameter of the finish to a diameter of the cylindrical portion.
  • a wall thickness of the neck portion may be configured to transition to a predetermined wall thickness of the cylindrical portion that is suitable for being blow-molded into the heat-set container.
  • the predetermined wall thickness may be suitable for blow-molding at least the cylindrical portion into a heat-set container capable of withstanding nitrogen hot- filling with pressurized contents.
  • the preform may be heated to a temperature of preferably 80°C to l20°C, with higher temperatures being preferred for the heat-set embodiments, and given a brief period of time to equilibrate.
  • the preform may be stretched to a length approximating the length of the final container.
  • pressurized air such as chilled food grade air
  • Fluid may be circulated through the mold so as to rapidly cool the container contacting the interior surface.
  • the temperature of the chilled air for stretching the preform and the temperature of the fluid cooling the mold may be selected based on the desired container finish, production time, and the like.
  • FIGS 7A through 7C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a preform 90 suitable for being blow-molded to form a bottle, such as the container 82, in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the preform 90 comprises a neck portion 32 and a body portion 34 that are monolithically formed.
  • the neck portion 32 begins at an opening 36 to an interior of the preform 90 and extends to a tapered portion 92 of the body portion 34.
  • the tapered portion 92 comprises a smooth transition from a diameter of the neck portion 32 to a relatively smaller diameter of a cylindrical 94 portion of the preform 90.
  • the cylindrical portion 94 is a generally elongate member that extends to an end cap 42.
  • a wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 94 is substantially uniform throughout the cylindrical portion and the end cap 42.
  • a wall thickness of the tapered portion 92 generally decreases from the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 94 to a relatively thinner wall thickness of the neck portion 32.
  • the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 94 is relatively greater than the wall thickness of the neck portion 32 so as to provide a wall thickness at the desired dimensions of a finished product after being blow-molded into the shape and size of a bottle, such as the container 82.
  • the neck portion 32 may be characterized by a plurality of longitudinally oriented internal columns 96 within the opening 36.
  • the plurality of internal columns 96 comprises three internal columns that are equally spaced around the circumference of the neck portion 32.
  • adjacent internal columns 96 are positioned at substantially 120-degree intervals around the circumference of the neck portion 32.
  • incorporating the plurality of internal columns 96 into the neck portion 32 facilitates incorporating a wall thickness within the neck portion that is relatively thinner than conventional neck portions.
  • the internal columns 96 facilitate a wall thickness within the neck portion 32 of the preform 90 that reduces the amount of material needed to form the preform 90 while still maintaining the necessary degree of structural integrity to allow for ease in blow-molding to form a container that has suitable mechanical strength to withstand forces encountered during formation, filling, transportation, and use. It should be understood, however, that the number of internal columns 96 may be other than three, and that the spacing between adjacent internal columns 96 need not necessarily be uniform, nor limited to 120-degree intervals.
  • the neck portion 32 is further characterized by a presence of threads 40 configured to rotatably engage with similar threads disposed within a cap or other suitable closure so as to provide a way to seal contents within the container 82.
  • each of the threads 40 generally extends along a section of the circumference of the neck portion 32 and approaches a neck ring 98.
  • the threads 40 comprise three threads that each begins at a thread start 102 and extends along a substantially 144-degree section of the neck portion 32.
  • the thread start 102 is configured to guide the thread 40 into a space, or valley, between adjacent threads of the cap so as to threadably engage the cap with the neck portion 32, as described herein.
  • the threads 40 generally are disposed adjacently to one another and are spaced uniformly around the circumference of the neck portion 32. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 A, the thread starts 102 of adjacent threads 40 are spaced at substantially 120-degree intervals around the perimeter of the neck portion 32. As will be appreciated, however, more or less than three threads 40 may be incorporated into the neck portion 32 without deviating beyond the scope of the present disclosure.
  • one or more exterior columns 104 may be incorporated into the neck portion 32. Similar to the internal columns 96, described above, the exterior columns 104 facilitate a wall thickness within the neck portion 32 of the preform 90 that reduces the amount of material needed to form the preform while still maintaining a necessary degree of structural integrity, as described herein. Thus, the exterior columns 104 may be incorporated into the neck portion so as to promote ease in blow-molding to form a container that has suitable mechanical strength to withstand forces encountered during formation, filling, transportation, and use
  • three exterior columns 104 are disposed uniformly around the perimeter of the neck portion, as best shown in Figs. 8B and 8C.
  • other than three exterior columns 104 may be disposed around the neck portion 32, such as, by way of non-limiting example, two exterior columns disposed on opposite sides of the neck portion 32, or four exterior columns disposed at 90-degree intervals around the neck portion 32.
  • the spacing between adjacent exterior columns 104 need not be uniform around the perimeter of the neck portion, but rather the exterior columns may be disposed at various intervals around the neck portion.
  • the external columns 104 may be positioned around the perimeter of the neck portion 32 so as to coincide with the locations of the internal columns 96. In such embodiments, therefore, the internal columns 96 may be positioned directly beneath the external columns 104. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the external columns 104 may be positioned at specific intervals between adjacent internal columns 96. For example, adjacent internal and external 96, 104 may be separated by 60-degree intervals. Further, the internal and external columns 96, 104 need not necessarily be positioned at the same distance relative to the opening 36. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs.
  • Figure 9A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the neck portion 32, taken along a line 9A-9A of Fig. 8A.
  • the neck portion 32 comprises a generally cylindrical member having an opening 36 suitable to provide access to an interior of the container 82.
  • a bevel 106 is disposed at the beginning of the opening 36.
  • the bevel 106 is configured to enter into sliding contact with a sealing flange of a suitable cap so as to prevent contents within the container 82 from leaking out of the container.
  • the bevel 106 may compress the sealing flange to a predetermined degree, thereby forming a tight seal suitable to retain pressurized contents within the container 82.
  • FIGs 9B through 9D illustrate detailed close up views of portions of the cross- sectional view of Fig. 9A.
  • a cross-sectional profile of the threads 40 is illustrated in Fig. 9B.
  • the threads 40 generally extend outward from the neck portion 32 such that a valley 108 is disposed between adjacent threads.
  • the cross-sectional profile of the threads 40 is configured such that the threads advantageously engage with similar threads disposed within a suitable cap for sealing contents within the container 82.
  • the valley 108 is configured to allow passage of a thread disposed in the cap to pass between adjacent threads 40 during tightening of the cap onto the neck portion 32, as described herein.
  • Figure 9C illustrates a close up view of the cross-sectional profile of the neck ring 98.
  • the neck ring 98 comprises a rounded upper portion 112 and a substantially flat lower portion 116.
  • the rounded upper portion 112 facilitates passing a tamper-evident ring portion of the cap over the neck ring 98 during assembly of the cap onto the container 82.
  • the flat lower portion 116 is configured to retain the tamper-evident ring positioned below the neck ring 98 during loosening of the cap.
  • FIG. 9D illustrates a close up view of the cross-sectional profile of the support ring 38.
  • the support ring 38 comprises a substantially flat lower surface 120.
  • the flat lower surface 120 of the support ring 38 facilitates supporting the preform 90 in the mold 80 during the blow-molding process described above and illustrated in Fig. 3.
  • the articles described herein may be made from any suitable thermoplastic material, such as polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefins, including polypropylene and polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamides, including nylons (e.g. Nylon 6, Nylon 66, MXD6), polystyrenes, epoxies, acrylics, copolymers, blends, grafted polymers, and/or modified polymers (monomers or portion thereof having another group as a side group, e.g. olefin- modified polyesters). These materials may be used alone or in conjunction with each other.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • polyolefins including polypropylene and polyethylene
  • polycarbonate polyamides, including nylons (e.g. Nylon 6, Nylon 66, MXD6), polystyrenes, epoxies, acrylics, copolymers, blends, grafted polymers, and/or modified polymers (monomers
  • More specific material examples 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 l,5-naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), poly( cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate ), polystryrene, cycloolefm, copolymer, poly-4-methylpentene-l, poly( methyl methacrylate), acrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidine chloride, styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate, ionomer, polysulfone, polytetra-fluoroethylene, polytetramethylene 1,2-dioxybenzoate and copolymers of ethylene ter
  • polypropylene also refers to clarified polypropylene.
  • clarified polypropylene is a broad term and is used in accordance with its ordinary meaning and may include, without limitation, a polypropylene that includes nucleation inhibitors and/or clarifying additives.
  • Clarified polypropylene is a generally transparent material as compared to the homopolymer or block copolymer of polypropylene. The inclusion of nucleation inhibitors helps prevent and/or reduce crystallinity, which contributes to the haziness of polypropylene, within the polypropylene.
  • Clarified polypropylene may be purchased from various sources such as Dow Chemical Co. Alternatively, nucleation inhibitors may be added to polypropylene.
  • PET includes, but is not limited to, modified PET as well as PET blended with other materials.
  • IP A-modified PET refers to PET in which the IPA content is preferably more than about 2% by weight, including about 2- 10% IP A by weight, also including about 5-10% IP A by weight.
  • CHDM cylohexane dimethanol
  • Additives may be included in articles herein to provide functional properties to the resulting containers. Such additives include those providing enhanced gas barrier, UV protection, scuff resistance, impact resistance and/or chemical resistance. Preferred additives may be prepared by methods known to those of skill in the art. For example, the additives may be mixed directly with a particular material, or they may be dissolved/dispersed separately and then added to a particular material. Additives are preferably present in an amount up to about 40% of the material, also including up to about 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 2% and 1% by weight of the material.
  • additives are preferably present in an amount less than or equal to 1% by weight
  • preferred ranges of materials include, but are not limited to, about 0.01 % to about 1 %, about 0.01% to about 0.1%, and about 0.1% to about 1% by weight.
  • microparticulate clay or graphene based materials comprise tiny, micron or sub-micron size (diameter), particles of materials which enhance the barrier and/or mechanical properties of a material by creating a more tortuous path for migrating gas molecules, e.g. oxygen or carbon dioxide, to take as they permeate a material and/or providing added stiffness.
  • migrating gas molecules e.g. oxygen or carbon dioxide
  • nanoparticulate material is present in amounts ranging from 0.05 to 1% by weight, including 0.1%, 0.5% by weight and ranges encompassing these amounts.
  • Cloisite® available from Southern Clay Products.
  • preferred nanoparticles comprise monmorillonite that may be modified with a ternary or quaternary ammonium salt.
  • such particles comprise organoclays as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,780,376, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and forms part of the disclosure of this application.
  • Other suitable organic and inorganic microparticulate clay based or nano-sized products may also be used. Both man-made and natural products are also suitable.
  • the UV protection properties of the material may be enhanced by the addition of one or more additives.
  • the UV protection material used provides UV protection up to about 350 nm or less, preferably about 3 70 nm or less, more preferably about 400 nm or less.
  • the UV protection material may be used as an additive with layers providing additional functionality or applied separately as a single layer.
  • additives providing enhanced UV protection are present in the material from about 0.05 to 20% by weight, but also including about 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight, and ranges encompassing these amounts.
  • the UV protection material is added in a form that is compatible with the other materials.
  • a preferred UV protection material comprises a polymer grafted or modified with a UV absorber that is added as a concentrate.
  • UV protection materials include, but are not limited to, benzotriazoles, phenothiazines, and azaphenothiazines. UV protection materials may be added during the melt phase process prior to use, e.g. prior to injection molding or extrusion. Suitable UV protection materials are available from Milliken, Ciba and Clariant.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des préformes qui présentent des améliorations dans la région du col et du segment supérieur du corps pour permettre la production de récipients légers, tels que des bouteilles adaptées pour contenir de l'eau ou d'autres boissons. Selon certains modes de réalisation, les améliorations comprennent une zone de finition de col plus mince que celle des bouteilles classiques, la zone plus mince s'étendant dans le segment supérieur de la partie de corps au-dessous de l'anneau de support. La diminution de l'épaisseur dans ces zones de la bouteille permet d'utiliser moins de résine lors de la formation de la préforme et de la bouteille.
PCT/US2019/040587 2018-07-24 2019-07-03 Finition étendue de préforme pour transfomer des bouteilles respectueuses de l'environnement légères WO2020040888A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

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JP2021504306A JP2021531189A (ja) 2018-07-24 2019-07-03 軽量で生態学的に有益なボトルを加工するためのプリフォーム拡張フィニッシュ部
CA3107644A CA3107644A1 (fr) 2018-07-24 2019-07-03 Finition etendue de preforme pour transfomer des bouteilles respectueuses de l'environnement legeres
EP19851368.1A EP3826817A4 (fr) 2018-07-24 2019-07-03 Finition étendue de préforme pour transfomer des bouteilles respectueuses de l'environnement légères
MX2021000971A MX2021000971A (es) 2018-07-24 2019-07-03 Acabado extendido de preforma para procesar botellas de peso ligero ecológicamente benéficas.
AU2019324344A AU2019324344A1 (en) 2018-07-24 2019-07-03 Preform extended finish for processing light weight ecologically beneficial bottles

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US16/044,299 2018-07-24
US16/044,299 US10829260B2 (en) 2010-11-12 2018-07-24 Preform extended finish for processing light weight ecologically beneficial bottles

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JP (1) JP2021531189A (fr)
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WO (1) WO2020040888A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

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US20050053739A1 (en) * 1999-04-21 2005-03-10 Lee Robert A. Multilayer containers and preforms having barrier properties utilizing recycled material
US20060118508A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-06-08 Kraft Richard G Hot-fill type plastic container and method of making
US20160176566A1 (en) * 2010-11-12 2016-06-23 Niagara Bottling, Llc Preform extended finish for processing light weight ecologically beneficial bottles

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US4649068A (en) * 1985-04-22 1987-03-10 Continental Pet Technologies, Inc. Preform for use in blow molding a container subjected to hot filling and closed by a rotatable closure, and method of an apparatus for making the same
CN106882441A (zh) * 2010-11-12 2017-06-23 尼亚加拉瓶业有限公司 用于加工轻量瓶的预成型体膨胀完成件
US20170240311A1 (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-08-24 Chun Ten Liu Plastic blank

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US20050053739A1 (en) * 1999-04-21 2005-03-10 Lee Robert A. Multilayer containers and preforms having barrier properties utilizing recycled material
US20060118508A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-06-08 Kraft Richard G Hot-fill type plastic container and method of making
US20160176566A1 (en) * 2010-11-12 2016-06-23 Niagara Bottling, Llc Preform extended finish for processing light weight ecologically beneficial bottles

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EP3826817A1 (fr) 2021-06-02
MX2021000971A (es) 2021-06-23
AU2019324344A1 (en) 2021-03-04
JP2021531189A (ja) 2021-11-18
CA3107644A1 (fr) 2020-02-27

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