Multilayered plastic container

Abstract

A three or more layered plastic container is provided, wherein the innermost first layer is a plastic layer, the intermediate second layer is a plastic layer adjacent the first layer containing an oxygen scavenging material, and the outermost third layer is a plastic layer. The thickness of the innermost layer is in the range of 0.1 to 3 mils and is controlled based on the desired shelf life of the container in the unfilled condition.

What is claimed is;  
     
         1 . A multilayered container, comprising: 
 an upper wall portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a self-supporting base portion, said portions formed from at least an innermost first layer, an intermediate second layer and an outermost third layer;    wherein said innermost first layer is a plastic material having a thickness of from 0.1 to 3 mils, said intermediate second layer is a plastic material containing at least one oxygen scavenging material and having a thickness of from 0.1 to 3 mils, and said outermost third layer is a plastic material having a thickness of from 3 to 23 mils.    
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the innermost first layer is a plastic material approved for contact with food or beverage products, and wherein the thickness of the innermost layer is controlled based on the desired shelf life of the container in the unfilled condition.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the innermost first layer is a thermoplastic material, and the outermost plastic material is a thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1  which is blow molded.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 4  formed from a multilayered preform, wherein the preform has extrusion molded innermost and intermediate layers and an injection molded outermost layer.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the outermost layer includes at least 5% of recycled plastic material.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the outermost layer includes at least 40% recycled plastic material.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the innermost layer is virgin polyethylene terephthalate, and the outermost layer is polyethylene terephthalate containing recycled material.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the outermost layer comprises at least 40% by weight of the total weight of the container.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer contains a barrier material.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one layer has differing thicknesses.  
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper wall portion defines an open neck and a threaded portion beneath the open neck.  
     
     
         13 . The process which comprises: 
 forming a multilayered plastic container having an upper wall portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a self-supporting base portion, said portions formed from at least an innermost first layer, an intermediate second layer and an outermost third layer; and    wherein said innermost first layer is formed from a plastic material having a thickness of from 0.1 to 3 mils, said intermediate second layer is formed from a plastic material containing at least one oxygen scavenging material and having a thickness of from 0.1 to 3 mils, and said outermost third layer is formed from a plastic material having a thickness of from 3 to 23 mils.    
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 13 , including forming the innermost first layer from a plastic material approved for contact with food or beverage products, and controlling the thickness of the innermost first layer in the range of 0.1 to 3 mils based on the desired shelf life of the container in the unfilled condition.  
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 13 , including the step of forming a blow molded container.  
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 13 , including forming said container from a multilayered preform, including forming extrusion molded innermost and intermediate layers and an injection molded outermost layer.  
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 13 , including providing at least 5% of recycled plastic material in the outermost layer.  
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 13 , including providing that the outermost layer comprises at least 40% by weight of the total weight of the container.  
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 13 , including providing that the intermediate layer contains a barrier material.  
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 13 , including providing that at least one layer has differing thicknesses.