U.S. patent application number 12/642910 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for packaging with improved water vapour barrier rating.
Invention is credited to Wolfgang Barthel, Ulf Arno Timmann.
Application Number | 20100147725 12/642910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39590417 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100147725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Timmann; Ulf Arno ; et
al. |
June 17, 2010 |
PACKAGING WITH IMPROVED WATER VAPOUR BARRIER RATING
Abstract
Packaging means made of plastic, in particular, for a
free-flowing or pourable surfactant-containing and/or
bleach-containing material, for example detergent or cleaning agent
powder, comprising a base, a top and a body, wherein the packaging
means has a water vapor permeability level>15 g/(m.sup.2*d) and
wherein at least the body of the packaging means is covered over,
in part, by a sheet-like presentation and identification means
which butts against the outer surface of the packaging means and
has a water vapor permeability level<15 g/(m.sup.2*d).
Inventors: |
Timmann; Ulf Arno;
(Porz-Ensen, DE) ; Barthel; Wolfgang; (Langenfeld,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Henkel Corporation
10 Finderne Avenue
Bridgewater
NJ
08807
US
|
Family ID: |
39590417 |
Appl. No.: |
12/642910 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/EP2008/052689 |
Mar 5, 2008 |
|
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12642910 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.1 ;
206/525 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/0864 20130101;
B65D 23/085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.1 ;
206/525 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 22, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 029 297.1 |
Claims
1. Packaging for free-flowing or pourable surfactant-containing
and/or bleach-containing packaged goods agent comprising: a base, a
top, wherein an opening for removing product from the packaging is
located on or in the top and the opening can be closed with a
closing means, and a body, wherein the packaging is made of plastic
and has a water vapor permeability>15 g/(m.sup.2*d), wherein at
least the body of the packaging is covered, at least in part on the
external surface of the packaging, by a film-like presentation and
identification means having a water vapor permeability<15
g/(m.sup.2*d), the presentation and identification means covers 50%
to 95% of the packaging surface, and the presentation and
identification means is fixed on the packaging by adhesion.
2. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means completely encloses the body
surface and at least leaves part of the base uncovered.
3. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means at least covers sections of
the base and/or the top of the packaging.
4. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means at least covers sections of
the closing means.
5. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer has a
water vapor permeability that is lower than that of the
packaging.
6. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer has a
water vapor permeability that is lower than that of the film-like
presentation and identification means.
7. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is
applied onto substantially the whole surface between the film-like
presentation and identification means and the packaging.
8. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means is interlockingly joined to
the packaging by means of in-mold labeling.
9. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the thickness of the
film-like presentation and identification means is between 5 .mu.m
and 100 .mu.m.
10. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the wall
thickness of the packaging to that of the film-like presentation
and identification means is >1.
11. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means is arranged in at least a
single layer around the packaging.
12. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means is printed.
13. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means is printed on the surface of
the packaging.
14. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means is detachably arranged on the
packaging.
15. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein an opening aid is
provided on or in the film-like presentation and identification
means.
16. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the film-like
presentation and identification means is fixed on the packaging by
means of a detachable adhesive bond.
17. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of body
surface to the surface of the top and the base is greater than
2.
18. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the packaging is molded
from a bioplastic.
19. Packaging according to claim 18 wherein the bioplastic is
cellulose-based plastic, plastic based on polylactic acid (PLA),
polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV),
polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), thermoplastic starch blends,
polycaprolactone (PLC) or any blends thereof.
20. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the packaging is not
printed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of
PCT/EP2008/052689, filed 5 Mar. 2008, which claims priority to
German Patent Application No. 10 2007 029 297.1, filed 22 Jun.
2007.
[0002] The present invention relates to packaging or containers
made of plastic with a water vapor permeability>15
g/(m.sup.2*d), wherein the external surface of the packaging is
enclosed, at least in sections, by a presentation and
identification means that fits the external surface of the
packaging and has a water vapor permeability<15
g/(m.sup.2*d).
[0003] Plastic containers are used in various forms and designs as
packaging for the transport and storage of a variety of most
diverse packaged goods.
[0004] Many packaged goods require that the plastic packaging
provides a water vapor barrier adequate to firstly prevent ingress
of moisture through the packaging walls into the packaged goods,
and secondly from the inside of the packaging into the
surroundings.
[0005] In the case of ingress of moisture, dispersible packaged
goods can become clumped, for example, so that the thus-damaged
packaged goods can no longer be conveniently removed from the
package. Moreover, the packaged goods can also be chemically
modified by the ingress of water vapor. For example, penetrating
water vapor deactivates or decomposes bleaches and/or enzymes in
powdered laundry detergents and cleaning agents. Unwanted
biological effects, such as bacterial growth or mold in the
packaged goods, are also possible from an increased ingress of
water vapor.
[0006] Considering the egress of moisture, particularly with
aqueous packaged goods, an inadequate water vapor barrier can lead
to a thickening of the packaged goods if water vapor can escape
through the package wall into the surroundings. This is
particularly relevant in warm temperatures or in direct sunshine
for this kind of packaged goods. This then leads to a modified flow
behavior and concentrations in the liquid packaged goods which
render an exact dosage difficult for the consumer. The volume loss
that results from the escape of water vapor can lead to an
unaesthetic, unwanted dent in the relevant container.
[0007] Furthermore, due to the loss of liquid, soluble ingredients
in the liquid product may precipitate out and settle on the bottom
of the container. Finally, the subtle lowering of the level that
accompanies the loss of water is undesirable, especially when the
bottle is transparent and a lower fill level can be perceived by
the consumer.
[0008] This is particularly critical for plastics of non-fossil
origin, such as plastics based on starch or polylactic acid, which
generally have comparatively low water vapor barrier, so that these
so-called bioplastics are not suitable for many packaged goods.
[0009] Sustainable, renewable resources are usually used to
manufacture these types of bioplastics. In addition to the possible
use of the respective regionally available agricultural raw
materials for manufacturing bioplastics, there is a further
advantage that after use for the intended purpose, they are
comparatively easily and quickly biodegradable according to the
German Institute for Standardization packaging requirement DIN EN
13432, for example, by composting, so that a generally increased
use and wider employment of bioplastics is desirable.
[0010] In order to improve the water vapor barrier, it has often
been proposed in the prior art to vapor-coat this type of
bioplastic with, for example, SiO.sub.x or aluminum, with the
consequence that the total surface of the packaging made from this
has a suitable coating. However, vapor coating with aluminum in
particular has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, a metallized
plastic film loses its transparency and, secondly, they are usually
unsuitable for use in a typical domestic microwave, with the result
that any use for the packaging and preparation of hot foods is
generally excluded. Furthermore, the vapor coated layer does not
contribute to an increased structural stability of the molded
container.
[0011] Moreover, metallized or SiO.sub.x vapor-coated bioplastics
with increasing metal or SiO.sub.x levels significantly reduce
their inherent biodegradability. In particular, for metallized
bioplastics one must ask whether it makes ecological sense to
introduce metals like aluminum into the environment where they do
not naturally degrade but rather only accumulate, especially when
considering recent research results indicating a direct
relationship between an increased exposure of biologically
resorbable aluminum with illnesses such as Parkinson's syndrome or
Alzheimer's disease.
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved
water vapor barrier for plastic packaging with a low water vapor
barrier of resource-saving, cost-efficient and easily
manufacturable manner.
[0013] This is achieved by a packaging made of plastic, especially
for free-flowing or pourable surfactant-containing and/or
bleach-containing packaged goods such as for example laundry
detergent or cleaning agent, wherein the packaging has a water
vapor permeability>15 g/(m.sup.2*d). The packaging includes a
base, a top, wherein an opening for removing product from the
packaging is located on or in the top and the opening can be closed
with a closing means, and a body. At least the body of the
packaging is covered, at least in sections on the external surface
of the packaging, by a film-like presentation and identification
means that has a water vapor permeability<15 g/(m.sup.2*d). The
film-like presentation and identification means covers between 50%
and 95% of the packaging surface and is fixed on the packaging by
adhesion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a plastic
bottle according to the invention with a label conforming to the
bottle contour.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of another embodiment of a
plastic bottle according to the invention with a label conforming
to the bottle contour, closure and opening aid.
[0016] The advantages of the invention include firstly an
improvement in water vapor barrier properties. Secondly, plastic
packaging according to the invention enables separation of
biodegradable plastic materials and either non-degradable or only
difficultly degradable plastic materials after the carton package
has been used.
[0017] Packaging according to the invention can be produced in a
cost-efficient manner by use of industrially established processes
for manufacturing carton packaging. The packaging according to the
invention is especially suitable for filling, storing, transporting
and dispensing free-flowing or dispersible products of filled goods
such as laundry detergents, laundry cleaning agents and laundry
care agents, dishwasher detergents, body care agents,
pharmaceuticals, agricultural auxiliaries, building materials,
colorants, adhesives or foodstuffs.
Packaging
[0018] The invention is particularly suitable for substantially
dimensionally-stable plastic packaging, such as beakers, cans,
buckets, barrels, bottles, canisters, jugs, drums or tubes. It can
also be used for flexible containers such as pouches or sacks.
[0019] The packaging can assume any shape. Round or rounded cross
sectional shapes are advantageous, as "sharp edges" on packaging
lead to unwanted stress peaks in the enveloping film-like
presentation and identification means, and thus can cause an
unintentional tearing of the film-like presentation and
identification means.
[0020] In order for the presentation and identification means to
fit without difficulty onto the surface of the packaging, the
outline of the packaging should be as flat as possible. However, it
is possible to shape the presentation and identification means such
that it fits closely to the outline of the packaging.
Beakers, Cans and Barrels
[0021] In terms of the present application, a `beaker` is a
substantially dimensionally-stable container for holding a
free-flowing or pourable product having a filling volume delimited
by a floor and a lateral wall, wherein the cross-section of the
floor substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the opening
of the beaker.
[0022] Cans can include an extended can, tear-open can, press-in
lid can, threaded can, folding lid can, folding lid can with
filling hole, folded can, drawn can, lobed can, sleeved can,
ripcord can, crimped can, sliding lid can or raised-rim can.
[0023] Barrels or drums can be chosen from belly barrels, staved
barrels, pressurized barrels, garage drums, semi-pressurized
barrels, kegs, tire-shod roller drums, heavy-duty drums, flanged
drums, roller flanged drums.
Bottles
[0024] For the present application, a `bottle` is a closable,
substantially dimensionally-stable container for holding a
free-flowing or pourable product having a filling volume delimited
by a base and a lateral wall, wherein the filling volume can be
filled or emptied through an opening in the bottle neck that tapers
towards the opening formed in the wall, and wherein the
cross-section of the base is greater than the cross-section of the
opening.
[0025] A bottle can be designed, for example, as an aerosol bottle,
transparent bottle, drinks bottle, in particular, ale bottle,
various wine bottles, stone bottle, stubby bottle, Vichy bottle,
broad-necked bottle as well as flat bottle, squeeze bottle, droplet
bottle, packaging bottle such as a flagon.
[0026] The wall thickness of the bottle is chosen such that the
bottle is substantially dimensionally stable. In one embodiment,
the walls or the lateral wall surface can be elastically deformable
so that pressure can be exerted on the product located in the
bottle, facilitating the release of product out of the bottle.
[0027] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the
bottle can also be designed as a two- or multi-chamber container.
Then, in an advantageous manner, each of the chambers can contain
different products. For example, a liquid product can be stored in
one chamber and a granular product stored in another chamber.
Further possible combinations are listed in the following
table:
TABLE-US-00001 Solid Solid Solid Liquid Liquid Liquid product
product product Detergent A Detergent B Detergent A Detergent B
Detergent A Detergent B Detergent Fabric Fabric Detergent Fabric
Detergent softener softener softener Detergent Bleach Bleach
Detergent Bleach Detergent Rinsing agent A Rinsing agent B Rinse
aid Rinsing agent Bleach Rinsing agent Rinsing agent Bleach Bleach
Rinsing agent Rinsing agent A Rinsing agent B Cleaning Cleaning
Detergent Fabric Cleaning Cleaning agent A agent B softener agent A
agent B
[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the closure of the
bottle is at least partially or sectionally covered by presentation
and identification means. A tamper evident seal or closure, for
example, can be easily realized in this way.
Pouch
[0029] In the context of this application, flexible packaging is
packaging that substantially changes its shape under mild force
during normal use. Such flexible packaging can be designed as a
pouch or sack.
[0030] The pouch can be chosen from a bottom pouch, block pouch,
brick pouch, block bottom pouch, floor standing pouch, folded
bottom pouch, crossed bottom pouch, round bottom pouch, upright
pouch, double pouch, window pouch, flat pouch, valve pouch, valve
pocket pouch, conical pouch, tubular pouch, side-fold pouch, folded
pouch, sealed edge pouch, three edge sealed pouch, double seam
pouch, sliding valve pouch, carrier bag and/or valve bag.
[0031] The sack can be chosen from push-in sacks, suspended sacks,
folded sacks, flat sacks, crossed bottom sacks, multi-ply sacks,
round bottom sacks and/or valve sacks.
Packaging Material of the Packaging
[0032] The inventive packaging is molded from a plastic. The
plastic packaging has a water vapor barrier of less than 15
g/(m.sup.2*d).
[0033] Suitable, exemplary packaging materials for the packaging
include polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, cellulose acetates,
ionomers, polyacrylonitriles, polyamides, polycarbonates,
polyesters, polystyrenes, polyterephthalic acid esters,
polyurethanes, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl chlorides.
[0034] It is particularly advantageous to choose packaging material
from bioplastics that are substantially manufactured from
renewable, sustainable resources. These include cellulose-based
plastics, plastics based on polylactic acid (PLA),
polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerates (PHV),
polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch blends,
polycaprolactone (PLC).
[0035] It is particularly advantageous to mold the packaging out of
a PLA plastic. Firstly, PLA is highly transparent, such that
packaging molded from PLA is optically high-grade and attractive.
Secondly, PLA is sufficiently rigid and can be processed in
standard molding machines.
[0036] Ecologically, it is advantageous if the packaging material
is easily and as completely as possible biodegraded.
[0037] In order to further reduce the weight of the packaging and
therefore the primary material requirement, the packaging can be
manufactured from foamed plastics.
Presentation and Identification Means
[0038] In the context of the present application, a `presentation
and identification means` is a film-like packaging auxiliary
suitable for covering at least a section of the packaging so that
it fits on the external surface of the packaging.
[0039] "To fit" in this context means that the surface of the
presentation and identification means facing the packaging touches
the outwardly orientated surface of the packaging, wherein here the
intermediate location of an adhesive layer between the packaging
surface and presentation and identification means is also
covered.
[0040] The presentation and identification means is made of a film
that has a water vapor permeability of <15 g/(m.sup.2*d).
[0041] The presentation and identification means and the packaging
are designed to ensure a permanently good physical contact between
the presentation and identification means and the packaging, as
well as preventing the presentation and identification means from
being easily damaged when manipulating the packaging.
[0042] The bond between the presentation and identification means
and the packaging can be designed to be friction locked,
interlocking and/or cohesive. A friction locked bond can be
realized, for example, by shrinking or stretching the presentation
and identification means onto the packaging. A cohesive bond can be
effected by means of an adhesive bond. It is also conceivable to
cohesively bond the presentation and identification means with the
packaging by an "In-mold" process.
[0043] The thickness of the film-like presentation and
identification means is preferably between 5 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m,
particularly preferably between 7.5 .mu.m and 75 .mu.m, and most
preferably between 10 .mu.m and 60 .mu.m.
[0044] The ratio of the thickness of the packaging wall to that of
the presentation and identification means is preferably >1. The
ratio of the thickness of the packaging wall to that of the
presentation and identification means is particularly preferably
between 1.5 and 100.
[0045] Films include co-extruded film, stretch- or drawn film,
extruded film, flat sheet, stretched or orientated film, cast film,
calendared film, foamed film, tubular film or blown film, or shrink
film.
[0046] The presentation and identification means is preferably
arranged as a single layer around the packaging.
[0047] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the
presentation and identification means is detachably arranged on the
packaging. In this way the presentation and identification means
can be easily removed from the packaging and separately disposed
of, such that packaging consisting of an easily biodegradable
bioplastic can be composted, while the presentation and
identification means made of a plastic film of fossil origin can be
subjected to a thermal recovery.
[0048] The presentation and identification means can be attached to
the packaging by one or more cohesive bonds. The cohesive bond can
be designed such that on removing the presentation and
identification means from the packaging, the cohesive bond is
destroyed and cannot be re-established, such that the presentation
and identification means, once removed from the packaging, no
longer adheres to the packaging through the original cohesive bond.
Separately, the cohesive bond can be designed such that a repeated
removal and adhesion of the presentation and identification means
to the closure cap is possible.
[0049] The cohesive bond can be chosen from adhesive joints, welded
joints or sealed joints.
[0050] It is particularly advantageous if the employed adhesive
layer provides a water vapor barrier. Therefore, it is also
conceivable for the water vapor barrier of the adhesive layer to be
greater than that of the presentation and identification means
located on top of the adhesive layer. In this regard it is
advantageous to form a closed surface between the presentation and
identification means and the packaging.
[0051] In order to facilitate removal of the presentation and
identification means, an opening aid such as scissors or a knife
can be provided on the presentation and identification means,
allowing the presentation and identification means to be detached
without need for opening means.
[0052] These types of opening aids can be formed, for example, as
perforations, tear-off tabs, rip tapes, rip threads, pull tabs,
tear-off seams, tear-off scratch lines or body rip-off tapes.
[0053] It is particularly advantageous for the presentation and
identification means to substantially cover the lateral walls of
the packaging, with the base of the packaging remaining
substantially unenclosed by the presentation and identification
means. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, 50 to
95% of the packaging surface are covered by the presentation and
identification means. It is particularly preferred to cover 65 to
90% of the packaging surface with the presentation and
identification means. Doing so produces a water vapor barrier that
is adequate for a large majority of possible applications.
[0054] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the
presentation and identification means can be interlockingly joined
to the packaging by an "in-mold" labeling process.
Packaging Material for Presentation and Identification Means
[0055] The presentation and identification means is molded from a
packaging material that has a water vapor permeability of less than
15 g/(m.sup.2*d).
[0056] The packaging material of the presentation and
identification means should possess a good printability. The
packaging material can be printed substantially over its whole
surface and therefore can be substantially opaque, thereby forming
a correspondingly good UV-barrier that protects the contents of the
packaging against environmental UV irradiation. This is of
particular advantage for packaged goods containing UV-sensitive
ingredients, such as enzymes, vitamins, colorants or
fragrances.
[0057] The packaging material can also comprise specific UV-barrier
substances and/or UV stabilizers. This can be advantageous for
protecting UV-sensitive packaged goods, particularly when too high
a fraction of transparent presentation and identification means is
used. The use of UV-barrier substances in the presentation and
identification means has moreover the advantage that for a given
UV-barrier effect, comparatively less UV-barrier substances need to
be incorporated in the presentation and identification means than
in the packaging material, with the result that the corresponding
UV-barrier can be manufactured more cost effectively. However, it
is also conceivable to print the surface of the packaging and to
enclose it in a transparent presentation and identification
means.
[0058] Suitable, exemplary packaging materials for the presentation
and identification means include polyolefins, polyethylene
terephthalates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers,
cellulose acetates, ionomers, polyacrylonitriles, polyamides,
polycarbonates, polyesters, polystyrenes, polyterephthalic acid
esters, polyurethanes, polyvinyl alcohols, and polyvinyl chlorides.
In particular, the packaging material for the presentation and
identification means can be polyethylene and/or polypropylene.
[0059] In order to obtain a particularly good water vapor barrier,
multi-layered and/or composite films can also be used as the
presentation and identification means. In this regard,
multi-layered films or composites consisting of PET-AI-PE, PET-PE
or BOPP-PE are particularly preferred.
Packaged Goods
[0060] When the packaging according to the invention is used,
free-flowing and pourable packaged goods are particularly
preferred. Pourable packaged goods include laundry detergent
powder, laundry detergent granulates, cleaning agent granulates,
salt or the like. Free-flowing packaged goods are preferably liquid
or gelled laundry detergents and/or cleaning agents, body-care
products, adhesives, building materials or the like.
[0061] The invention is described below in more detail with
reference to illustrative drawings of some embodiments.
Particularly preferred developments and particularly preferred
combinations of characterizing features will also be described
below in detail.
[0062] FIG. 1 shows a packaging 1 in the form of a bottle that
possesses a handle located in the body 4 of the bottle 1. The
bottle is partially covered by a film-like presentation and
identification means 5.
[0063] In FIG. 2 is shown a further development of the invention: a
packaging 1 shaped as a bottle with a base 3 and a top 2, on which
is found the closure 7, as well as a body 4 that extends between
base 3 and top 2. The bottle 1 has a waist at about half the way up
the bottle 1. The body 4 is covered by a presentation and
identification means 5 that follows the contours of the bottle on
the front and rear sides of the bottle. As can be seen in FIG. 2,
areas on the base 3 and top 2 are not covered by the presentation
and identification means 5. In order to realize a user-friendly
removal of the presentation and identification means 5 from the
bottle 1, an opening aid 6 designed as a tear-off strap is provided
on the presentation and identification means 5.
* * * * *