INTEGRAL TWO LAYER PREFORM, PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A BLOW-MOULDED BAG-IN-CONTAINER, AND BAG-IN-CONTAINER THUS PRODUCED

• US 20100330313A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
• Original Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
• Inventors: Peirsman, Daniel, Van Hove, Sarah, Verpoorten, Rudi
• Granted Patent: US 9,162,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/35.7
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 11/08 Injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 11/14 characterised by structure or composition
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1601 the injected materials not being adhered or bonded to each other B29C45/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/072 having variable wall thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/073 having variable diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0773 Threads
• 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 2949/3026 having two or more components
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3032 having components being injected
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3034 having two or more components being injected
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0408 involving at least a linear movement B29C45/0433 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0441 involving a rotational movement B29C45/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1615 The materials being injected at different moulding stations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/34 having venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/071 Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/065 : HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/086 : EVOH, i.e. ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 : PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 : Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/046 : PLA, i.e. polylactic acid or polylactide
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 : Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/712 : Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 1/00 : Layered products having a non-planar shape
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/02 : 2 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/24 : All layers being polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/244 : All polymers belonging to those covered by group B32B27/36
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2439/00 : Containers; Receptacles closures therefor B32B2435/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 : of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 : comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/34 : comprising polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 : comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 : characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/027 : Thermal properties
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/02 : Linings or internal coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 : Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 : Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 : Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]

Abstract

The invention is an integral two-layer preform (1) for the production of integrally blow-moulded bag-in-containers (2). The preform has an inner layer (11) and an outer layer (12), wherein the preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of the container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of the two layers. The melting temperature of the inner layer is greater than or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer.

Claims

1. An integral two-layer preform for the production of integrally blow-moulded bag-in-containers, said preform comprising:

an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein said preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of said container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of said two layers; and

the melting temperature of the inner layer is greater or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer.

2. The preform according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the inner and outer layers comprises a semi-crystalline material.

3. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layer consist of different materials.

4. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layer consist of the same material.

5. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layers consist of a material selected from PET, PEN, PTT, PA, PP, PE, HDPE, EVOH, PGAc, PLA, and copolymers or blends thereof.

6. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one point of interface is a vent in the shape of a wedge with the broad side at the level of the opening thereof and getting thinner as it penetrates deeper into the vessel, until the inner and outer layers meet to form an interface.

7. The preform according to claim 6, wherein more than one vent are distributed around the lip of the preform'"'"'s mouth.

8. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layers of the preform are connected by an interface throughout substantially the whole inner surface of the outer layer.

9. The preform according to claim 1 wherein the inner and outer layers and are fixed to one another through mechanical interlocking means located in the preform'"'"'s neck region.

10. A process for the production of a preform having

an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein said preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of said container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of said two layers;

and

the melting temperature of the inner layer is greater or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer,

comprising the following sequential steps;

injection moulding the inner layer onto a core;

injection moulding the outer layer onto the inner layer, and

extracting the thus formed preform from the core.

11. The process according to claim 10, wherein said core is adapted for forming vents fluidly connecting the interface between the inner and outer layers to the atmosphere.

12. A tool of the core shell type suitable for the production of a preform having

an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein said preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of said container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of said two layers, and

the melting temperature of the inner layer is greater or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer,

comprising a core mould provided at the base thereof with at least one pin suitable for forming a vent at the interface between the first and second layers of said preform.

13. The tool according to claim 12 comprising more than one pin disposed around the perimeter of the core base.

14. The tool according to claim 12, wherein the pins have the shape of a wedge.

15. An apparatus for producing a preform having

an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein said preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of said container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of said two layers, and

the melting temperature of the inner layer is greater or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer,

comprising:

support means provided with at least two similar male cores;

at least first and second shell female moulds each connected to an extruder, such that the first shell mould is dimensioned for producing the inner layer and the second shell mould for producing the outer layer on top of the inner one;

at least one optional extraction station, and

means for moving the support means so that each core can be positioned sequentially opposite the first shell mould, the second shell mould and, optionally, the extraction station.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said means for moving the support impart a linear movement to the support means.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said means for moving the support impart a rotational movement to the support means.

18. Integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container produced by blow-moulding a preform comprising:

an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein said preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of said container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of said two layers, and

the melting temperature of the inner layer is greater or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer.