Moulded thermoplastic articles and process to make them

• US 20060105128A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ColorMatrix Europe Ltd. (Avient Corp.)
• Original Assignee: ColorMatrix Europe Ltd. (Avient Corp.)
• Inventors: Zeng, Fuquan
• Application Number:
  US10/530,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20060105128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/35.700
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/2412 outside the article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0872 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3008 at neck portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3012 at flange portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3016 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/302 at bottom portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3028 having three or more components
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3074 said at least one component obtained by coating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3076 on the inside
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/22 using multilayered preforms or parisons
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/24 Lining or labelling
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/2408 In-mould lining or labelling
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 71/0009 using liquids, e.g. solvents, swelling agents spectacle cases, e.g. for cleaning contact lenses A45C11/04; disinfecting or sterilising contact lenses A61L12/00, using liquid substances A61L2/20; cleaning involving the use of liquid in general B08B3/00; for hydrating contact lenses B29D11/00067
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/083 EVA, i.e. ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0026 Flame proofing or flame retarding agents
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0032 Pigments, colouring agents or opacifiyng agents
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/005 Heat sensitisers or absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/258 : Tubular
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/002 : Coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7158 : Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 : Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]

Abstract

This invention relates to moulded polyethylene terephthalate articles and to a process for making them. In one of its aspects the invention relates to a process in which colour or additive is applied to a moulded polyethylene terephthalate article in a post-moulding step and to articles produced by such a process, in particular to a process for manufacturing a coloured polyethylene terephthalate container or container preform comprising providing a container or container preform of a polyethylene terephthalate, providing a colouration zone containing as a solution or dispersion in a liquid medium one or more colourants having a chemical affinity for polyethylene terephthalate of the container or container preform, and in the colouration zone contacting the container or container preform with the one or more colourants in the liquid medium for a period of time and under conditions effective to cause at least a portion of the one or more colourants to migrate from the liquid medium and bind to the container or container preform.

Claims

1. A process for manufacturing a coloured polyethylene terephthalate container or container preform comprising providing a molded polyethylene terephthalate container or container preform, providing a colouration zone containing as a solution or dispersion in a liquid medium one or more colourants having a chemical affinity for polyethylene terephthalate, and in the colouration zone contacting the container or container preform with the one or more colourants in the liquid medium for a period of time and under conditions effective to cause at least a portion of the one or more colourants to migrate from the liquid medium and bind to the polyethylene terephthalate of the container or container preform.

2. A process according to claim 1 which comprises providing a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition and subjecting said polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition to a moulding step thereby to form the container or container preform.

3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the one or more colourants comprises a disperse dye.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the effective conditions comprise a temperature of at least about 40°

C.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the effective conditions comprise a temperature of at least about 60°

C.

8. A process according to claims 1 wherein the container or container preform is a bottle or bottle preform.

13. A process according to claim 1 wherein the colourant or additive is targetted to a specific region of the container or container preform by regioselective contacting of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

14. A process according to claim 1 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the duration of contact of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

15. A process according to claim 1 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the concentration of colourant or additive in the solution/dispersion.

16. A process according to claim 1 wherein the container or container preform requires no chemical pre-treatment prior to contacting the colourant or additive in order to provided effective binding therebetween.

17. A process according to claim 1 wherein a first contact between the container or container preform and a colourant or additive is followed by a drying step and then a farther contact between the container or container preform and different colourant or additive.

18. An article produced by a process according to any one of claim 1.

19. A moulded polyethylene terephthalate article according to claim 18 having an inside surface and an outside surface and a colourant or additive having a chemical affinity to polyethylene terephthalate bound predominantly to one, but not the other, of said surfaces.

20. A container or container preform according to claim 18 wherein the colourant or additive is bound below the surface of the container or container preform as a result of migration from a surface point of contact into the material of the polyethylene terephthalate container or container preform.

4. A process for manufacturing a polyethylene terephthalate container or container preform having additive-imparted functionality comprising providing a moulded polyethylene terephthalate article, providing an additive impartation zone containing as a solution or dispersion in a liquid medium one or more additives having a chemical affinity for polyethylene terephthalate, and in the additive impartation zone contacting the container or container preform with the one or more additives in the liquid medium for a period of time and under conditions effective to cause at least a portion of the one or more additives to migrate from the liquid medium and bind to the container or container preform.

5. A process according to claim 4 wherein the one or more additives is selected from the group comprising UV filters, oxygen absorbers, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, light stabilizers, optical brighteners, processing stabilizers, flame retardants and mixtures of two or more thereof.

21. A process according to claim 4 wherein the coloturant or additive is targetted to a specific region of the container or container preform by regioselective contacting of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

26. A process according to claim 4 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the duration of contact of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

31. A process according to claim 4 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the concentration of colourant or additive in the solution/dispersion.

36. A process according to claim 4 wherein the container or container preform requires no chemical pre-treatment prior to contacting the colourant or additive in order to provided effective binding therebetween.

41. A process according to claim 4 wherein a first contact between the container or container preform and a colourant or additive is followed by a drying step and then a further contact between the container or container preform and different colourant or additive.

46. An article produced by a process according to claim 4.

47. A moulded polyethylene terephthalate article according to claim 46 having an inside surface and an outside surface and a colourant or additive having a chemical affinity to polyethylene terephthalate bound predominantly to one, but not the other, of said surfaces.

9. A method of making a blow moulded bottle from a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition which comprises:

i. providing a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

ii. heating the polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

iii. extruding the hot polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition so as to form a bottle preform;

iv. contacting the bottle preform with a colourant having a chemical affinity for polyethylene terephthalate for a period of time and under conditions effective to cause binding of the colourant to the polyethylene terephthalate; and

v. blow moulding the bottle preform at a blow moulding temperature so as to form a coloured bottle.

22. A process according to claim 9 wherein the colourant or additive is targetted to a specific region of the container or container preform by regioselective contacting of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

27. A process according to claim 9 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the duration of contact of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

32. A process according to claim 9 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the concentration of colourant or additive in the solution/dispersion.

37. A process according to claim 9 wherein the container or container preform requires no chemical pre-treatment prior to contacting the colourant or additive in order to provided effective binding therebetween.

42. A process according to claim 9 wherein a first contact between the container or container preform and a colourant or additive is followed by a drying step and then a further contact between the container or container preform and different colourant or additive.

48. An article produced by a process according to claim 9.

49. A moulded polyethylene terephthalate article according to claim 48 having an inside surface and an outside surface and a colourant or additive having a chemical affinity to polyethylene terephthalate bound predominantly to one, but not the other, of said surfaces.

10. A method of making a blow moulded bottle from a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition which comprises:

a. providing a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

b. heating the polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

c. extruding the hot polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition so as to form a bottle preform;

d. blow moulding the bottle perform at a blow moulding temperature so as to form a bottle;

e. contacting the bottle with a colourant having chemical affinity for polyethylene terephthalate for a period of time and under conditions effective to cause binding of the colourant with the polyethylene terephthalate.

23. A process according to claim 10 wherein the colourant or additive is targetted to a specific region of the container or container preform by regioselective contacting of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

28. A process according to claim 10 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the duration of contact of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

33. A process according to claim 10 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the concentration of colourant or additive in the solution/dispersion.

38. A process according to claim 10 wherein the container or container preform requires no chemical pre-treatment prior to contacting the colourant or additive in order to provided effective binding therebetween.

43. A process according to claim 10 wherein a first contact between the container or container preform and a colourant or additive is followed by a drying step and then a further contact between the container or container preform and different colourant or additive.

50. An article produced by a process according to claim 10.

51. A moulded polyethylene terephthalate article according to claim 50 having an inside surface and an outside surface and a colourant or additive having a chemical affinity to polyethylene terephthalate bound predominantly to one, but not the other, of said surfaces.

11. A method of making a blow moulded bottle from a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition which comprises:

I. providing a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

II. heating the polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

III. extruding the hot polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition so as to form a bottle preform;

IV. contacting the bottle preform with an additive having a chemical affinity for polyethylene terephthalate for a period of time and under conditions effective to cause binding of the additive colourant to the polyethylene terephthalate; and

V. blow moulding the bottle preform at a blow moulding temperature so as to form a bottle with a desirable functionality attributable to the bound additive.

24. A process according to claim 11 wherein the colourant or additive is targetted to a specific region of the container or container preform by regioselective contacting of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

29. A process according to claim 11 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the duration of contact of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

34. A process according to claim 11 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the concentration of colourant or additive in the solution/dispersion.

39. A process according to claim 11 wherein the container or container preform requires no chemical pre-treatment prior to contacting the colourant or additive in order to provided effective binding therebetween.

44. A process according to claim 11 wherein a first contact between the container or container preform and a colourant or additive is followed by a drying step and then a further contact between the container or container preform and different colourant or additive.

52. An article produced by a process according to claim 11.

53. A moulded polyethylene terephthalate article according to claim 52 having an inside surface and an outside surface and a colourant or additive having a chemical affinity to polyethylene terephthalate bound predominantly to one, but not the other, of said surfaces.

12. A method of making a blow moulded bottle from a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition which comprises:

A. providing a polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

B. heating the polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition;

C. extruding the hot polyethylene terephthalate moulding composition so as to form a bottle perform;

D. blow moulding the bottle preform at a blow moulding temperature so as to form a bottle;

E. contacting the bottle with an additive having chemical affinity for polyethylene terephthalate for a period of time and under conditions effective to cause binding of the additive with the polyethylene terephthalate.

25. A process according to claim 12 wherein the colourant or additive is targetted to a specific region of the container or container preform by regioselective contacting of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

30. A process according to claim 12 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the duration of contact of the container or container preform with the colourant or additive.

35. A process according to claim 12 wherein the amount of colourant or additive bound to the container or container preform can be controlled by controlling the concentration of colourant or additive in the solution/dispersion.

40. A process according to claim 12 wherein the container or container preform requires no chemical pre-treatment prior to contacting the colourant or additive in order to provided effective binding therebetween.

45. A process according to claim 12 wherein a first contact between the container or container preform and a colourant or additive is followed by a drying step and then a further contact between the container or container preform and different colourant or additive.

54. An article produced by a process according to claim 12.

55. A moulded polyethylene terephthalate article according to claim 54 having an inside surface and an outside surface and a colourant or additive having a chemical affinity to polyethylene terephthalate bound predominantly to one, but not the other, of said surfaces.