Plastic shipping and storage containers and composition and method therefore

• US 20040059035A1
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Perez, Mario A., Driscoll, Paul D., Nwabunma, Domasius, Krech, John E., Reuter, Donald F., Miling, Denis M., Harrison, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,216,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 524/416
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0012 forming a continuous plane contact surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/38 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00104 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00308 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00343 contact surface being substantially in the form of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00363 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00557 without separate auxiliary elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/008 Drainage means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0084 Separated elements, e.g. including in-moulded elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0086 Protection against environmental hazards, e.g. humidity, bacteria, fire
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 108/901 Synthetic plastic industrial platform, e.g. pallet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]

Abstract

A polymeric composition comprises a thermosetting resin and a polyolefin resin that cures to a semi-interpenetrating polymer network and is useful for producing plastic shipping and storage containers. The containers exhibit one or more friction surfaces, and can include fire resistance and other properties derived from property enhancing agents.

Claims

1. A curable polymeric composition comprising

a) a polyolefin resin or blends thereof,

b) a thermosetting resin, and

c) an effective amount of a flame retardant.

2. A method for producing a plastic shipping or storage container comprising the steps:

a) admixing a composition comprising

(1) one or more thermosetting resins and one or more curing agents therefor,

(2) a fully pre-polymerized uncrosslinked hydrocarbon polyolefin resin, and optionally a fully pre-polymerized uncrosslinked functionalized polyolefin, and

b) exposing said composition to curing conditions after forming the composition into a shipping or storage container.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said composition comprises a foamed structure.

4. A method comprising the steps of a) providing a molten mixture including a curable epoxy resin, an effective amount of a curative for the curable epoxy resin, said curative being stable at temperature of mixing, and at least one of a fully prepolymerized uncrosslinked hydrocarbon polyolefin resin and a fully prepolymerized uncrosslinked functionalized polyolefin resin, and an effective amount of a flame retardant, b) applying the mixture to a substrate, mold, or storage vessel, or processing into a free-standing film, and c) at any subsequent time, activating the curative to produce a semi-interpenetrating polymer network.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said molten mixture further comprises an effective amount of one or more performance enhancement additives selected from the group consisting of antimicrobials, mildewcides, foaming agents, and fillers.

6. The method according to claim 4 wherein application of said molten mixture to said mold is preceded by in-mold application of friction material.