OXYGEN RESISTANT CANISTER

Abstract

A paper or other fibrous container is capable of maintaining a consistent gas level after sealing, as well as having sufficient stiffness to carry liquids and other heavy materials as well as light weigh materials such as medication and supplements. Preferred embodiments include a fibrous outer sleeve having an inwardly directed curled edge, a first metal sleeve positioned inward of the fibrous outer sleeve, and a bottom piece having a top metal layer. The bottom piece is preferably disposed intermediate the inwardly directed curled edge and the first metal sleeve. A first adhesive is preferably disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the first metal sleeve, and a second adhesive is preferably disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the inwardly directed curled edge.

Claims

1. A container, comprising: a fibrous outer sleeve, having an inwardly directed curled edge; a first metal sleeve positioned inward of the fibrous outer sleeve; a bottom piece having a top metal layer, the bottom piece disposed intermediate the inwardly directed curled edge and the first metal sleeve; a first adhesive disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the first metal sleeve; and a second adhesive disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the inwardly directed curled edge.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom piece comprises a bottom metal layer, and a fibrous layer positioned between the top and bottom metal layers.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the first metal sleeve terminates in an inwardly curled top.

4. The container of claim 3, further comprising an induction liner, and a third adhesive positioned to sealingly couple the induction liner to the inwardly curled top.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the fibrous outer sleeve is vertically shorter than the first metal sleeve.

6. The container of claim 1, further comprising a fibrous inner sleeve positioned inwardly from the first metal sleeve.

7. The container of claim 6, further comprising a second metal sleeve positioned inwardly from the fibrous inner sleeve.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the second metal sleeve terminates in an inwardly curled top.

9. The container of claim 7, wherein the second metal sleeve is not completely coated with a plastic.

10. The container of claim 7, wherein the first adhesive sealingly couples the bottom piece and the second metal and the fibrous inner sleeves.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the first adhesive sealingly couples the bottom piece and the first metal sleeve.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the second adhesive sealingly couples the bottom piece and the inwardly directed curled edge.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the fibrous outer sleeve is not completely coated with a plastic.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the first metal sleeve is not completely coated with a plastic.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and second adhesives are each water soluble.

Description

FIGURES

[0017] FIG. 1 is a reproduction of a prior art figure from U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,872.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container, sealed at its top opening using an induction liner.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a container with a lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The container in the current subject matter is capable of maintaining a consistent gas level after sealing, as well as having sufficient stiffness to carry liquids and other heavy materials as well as light weigh materials such as medication and supplements.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a container 100 sealed at its top opening by an induction liner 190. The side wall 110 of the container 100 includes an intermediate fibrous material layer 116 sandwiched between an inner metal layer 114 and an outer metal layer 118. The bottom disk 130 of the container 100 also has the same structure as the side wall 110, having an intermediate fibrous material layer 136 sandwiched between an inner metal layer 134 and an outer metal layer 138.

[0022] Experimentation has shown that even with quite thin metal foil layers, the use of two foil layers provides a consistent gas level inside of the container after sealing. Where the two metal layers 114, 118 are aluminum or steel, the ambient air penetration through the container is inhibited by at least 900% even where the layers are as thin as 9 μm, while the typical metal foil thickness is in the range of 9-12 μm.

[0023] Vacuum metallization can be achieved by gas-disposition of aluminum directly to a substrate, such as a paper. This method can achieve similar oxygen resistance with far less metal, on the order of 300 times less. In such cases, contemplated ranges for thickness of the metal layers is in the range of only 0.04-12 μm. These results are apparently achieved by eliminating oxygen ingress through the paper itself, and insuring that minor material or production flaws of either metallized layer is less likely to decrease finished package sigma.

[0024] Interestingly, when only a single vacuum metalized layer is used, the oxygen transmission rate is about 875 cc/(package—day), i.e., with little to no improvement relative to a paper bag. A double layer, however, improves oxygen transmission rate down to 8.98 cc/(package—day), about a hundred times better than a single layer.

[0025] It should be appreciated that the combination of the metal and the fibrous material layers creates an environmentally friendly and cost-effective container. Fibrous materials such as papers and cardboards are generally preferred since they are biodegradable. Metals that can be recycled are also preferred. Additionally, the metal used in multi-layer paper packaging typically is not recycled, though it could be should economics warrant the effort. The metal of metallized paper used in some contemplated embodiments could be recycled because it is expected to oxidize and become a soil component.

[0026] As further shown in FIG. 2, one or more stiffening outer layers 120 of fibrous material can be utilized on the outside of the outer metal layer 118. The stiffening outer layers 120 can have a curled end 122 at its lower end to support the bottom disk 130, and is optionally shorter than the side wall 110.

[0027] One advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is that the container 100 requires only three layers of adhesive, an upper layer of adhesive 142 between the induction liner 190 and a curled upper end 112 of the side wall 110, an intermediate layer of adhesive 144 between the side wall 110 and the top surface of the bottom disk 130, and a lower layer of adhesive 146 between the bottom surface of the bottom disk 130 and a curled lower end 122 of the outer fibrous layer 120.

[0028] As used herein, an “adhesive” is any compound in a liquid or semi-liquid state used to adhere or bond items together. Prior to hardening, adhesives could be pastes (very thick) or glues (relatively fluid, water-based). All commercially suitable adhesives are contemplated, including for example hot-melt adhesives, library paste or simply glue made from water, milk powder, vinegar, and baking soda. The adhesives are preferably biodegradable. Once the adhesive is cured, the portion applied the adhesive becomes inherently non-adhesive on its external surface, yet retains a strong bond between surfaces and substantially maintains impermeability to air, and preferably also substantially impermeable to oils and water.

[0029] As used herein, an “induction liner” is a seal for a container. All commercially suitable induction liners are contemplated, including, for example, FoilSeal™ induction liner, Safe-Gard™ induction liner, Life ‘n’ Peel™ induction liner, Deltaseal™ induction liner, Top Tab™ induction liner, Uni-Gard™ induction liner, and foil heat induction liner.

[0030] In some embodiments, a plastic film (not shown) can be included between the inner metal layer 114/134 and the intermediate fibrous layer 116/136, or between the intermediate fibrous layer 116/136 and the outer metal layer 118/138. As used herein, a “plastic film” is a plastic sheet having thickness of 0.03-0.25 mm. All commercially suitable plastic films are contemplated, including for those that are substantially impermeable to gas (air), oil, and water and UV light. Preferred plastic films are biodegradable and/or recyclable.

[0031] In some embodiments, the intermediate fibrous layer 116 of the wall is substantially thinner than the outer fibrous layer 120. The intermediate fibrous layer 116 can be quite thin because it is mostly used to provide a separation between the metal layers 114 and 118. On the other hand, the outer fibrous layer 120 is preferably rather thick so that it can provide mechanical structure to the container 100. This can be quite important for containers that carry heavy materials such as juice or carbonated water. For containers that carry relatively light weight materials such as medications and supplements, the outer fibrous layer 120 can be relatively thin.

[0032] In some embodiments, the adhesives 142, 144, 146 are different from the adhesive used to couple the metal layer 114, 118, 134, 138 and the fibrous layer 116, 136. In other embodiments, the adhesives 142, 144, 146 are identical to the adhesive used to couple the metal layer 114, 118, 134, 138 and the fibrous layer 116, 136.

[0033] In some embodiments, a stiffening outer fibrous layer similar to outer fibrous layer 120 can be disposed on the bottom of the bottom disk 130. It is contemplated that a stiffening outer fibrous layer below the bottom disk 130 can be used to provide additional structural support for cases where heavy materials are added to the canister. In such embodiments, an adhesive can be disposed between a top surface of the stiffening outer fibrous layer and the bottom surface of the bottom disk 130, and an adhesive can be disposed between a bottom surface of the stiffening outer fibrous layer and the curled end 122. The adhesive between the top surface of the stiffening outer fibrous layer and the bottom surface of the outer layer 138 can be disposed at least partially on the circumferential edge of the bottom disk 130 and the stiffening outer fibrous layer. The adhesive can be identical to the adhesive 144.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer fibrous layer 120 can be shorter than the side wall 110. It is contemplated that the height difference allows a lid 150 to be placed onto the container 100 to cover the induction liner 190 and an upper surface of the side wall 110, as shown in FIG. 3. The lid 150 can be made of the same material, and have the same thickness, as the outer fibrous layer 120. Alternative lids are contemplated that have a metal and/or plastic layer like the side wall 110.

[0035] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

[0036] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.