IP Library › Patent Application 13299907
Patent Application
App. No. 13/299,907

Mono and Multi-Layer Articles and Injection Molding Methods of Making the Same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/299,907
Abstract

In preferred embodiments methods and apparatuses can produce articles that have expandable thermoplastic material. The articles may be mono- and multilayer. The articles can be formed by various methods.

Claims (27)

1 . A method for making an overmolded container comprising:

providing a preform for a container, the preform comprising a thermoplastic polymer;

overmolding an expandable thermoplastic overmold material over at least a portion of the preform to form an overmolded preform; and

blow molding the overmolded preform to form an overmolded container.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expandable thermoplastic overmold material inhibits heat transfer through the walls of the container.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expandable thermoplastic overmold material comprises plastic.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expandable thermoplastic overmold material is crosslinked.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the overmolded container is a beverage container.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyester.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyethylene terephthalate copolymer.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the overmold material is selected from ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene vinyl acetate, linear low density polyethylene, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the overmold material is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a modified polyolefin, and combinations thereof.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the overmold material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic-olefin copolymer, polyester, and combinations thereof.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the overmold material has a density less than 1.00 g/cc.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the overmold material further comprises one or more additives.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more additives are selected from the group consisting of a colorant, a UV protection additive, a lubricant, a thermal stabilizer, an antioxidant, and combinations thereof.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blow molding process comprises preheating the overmolded preform and then stretch blow molding the preheated preform.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the overmolded material covers a majority of the outer surface of the overmolded container.

16 . A blow molded container produced by the method of claim 1 .

17 . A packaged beverage comprising the blow molded bottle of claim 16 and a beverage disposed inside the bottle.

18 . A method for recycling an overmolded container comprising:

providing the container of claim 16 ; and

separating the overmolded layer from the container body.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the separating process comprises recycling of the container.

20 . An overmolded preform comprising:

a thermoplastic polymer preform suitable for blow molding into a bottle; and

an overmold material, which comprises a crosslinked thermoplastic material, overmolded over at least a portion of the preform.