Seal Capable of Generating Molecular Hydrogen and Suitable for Closing a Container and for Scavenging Oxygen

Abstract

The seal ( 1 ) is adapted to be heat bonded to a container for closing an opening of the container. Said seal ( 1 ) is a laminate comprising a metallic layer ( 10 ), a liner ( 12 ) that is permeable to water vapour and to 5 molecular hydrogen, and that can be heat bonded to a container, and at least an active layer ( 11 ), that is positioned between the metallic layer ( 10 ) and the liner ( 12 ), and that is capable of chemically reacting with water and generating molecular hydrogen.

1 . A seal ( 1 ) for closing a container, said seal ( 1 ) being a laminate comprising a metallic layer ( 10 ), a liner ( 12 ) that is permeable to water vapour and to molecular hydrogen, and that can be heat bonded to a container, and at least an active layer ( 11 ), that is positioned between the metallic layer ( 10 ) and the liner ( 12 ), and that is capable of chemically reacting with water and generating molecular hydrogen. 
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the active layer ( 11 ) comprises an active substance that is capable of chemically reacting with water and generating molecular hydrogen. 
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 2 , wherein the active substance is selected from the group comprising Group I, II, and III metals, Group I, II, and III metal hydrides, rare earth metals, rare earth hydrides, alkali metal borohydrides, alkaline earth metal borohydrides, alkali metal aluminum hydrides, silicon hydrides, tin hydrides, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 2 , wherein the active substance is selected from the group comprising sodium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium borohydride, sodium metal, lithium metal, potassium metal, calcium hydride, magnesium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the active layer ( 11 ) comprises a polymeric matrix. 
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric matrix comprises a polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric matrix comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric matrix comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises a polyolefin blend. 
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises SEBS. 
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the liner ( 12 ) comprises of a heat meltable polymeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 11 , wherein the liner ( 12 ) comprises a polyethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 11 , wherein the liner comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         14 . The seal of  claim 13 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises a polyolefin blend. 
     
     
         15 . The seal of  claim 13 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises SEBS. 
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 11 , wherein the liner ( 12 ) comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 11 , wherein the liner ( 12 ) comprises a methacrylateolefin-based polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The seal of  claim 11 , wherein the liner ( 12 ) comprises a copolymer of vinylchloride, vinylacetate and dicarbonic acid. 
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic layer ( 10 ) is made of aluminium. 
     
     
         20 . An assembly comprising a container (C) and a seal ( 1 ) defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an opening ( 2   b ) surrounded by a rigid plastic part ( 2   a ), and wherein the liner ( 12 ) of the seal ( 1 ) is heat bonded to the rigid plastic part ( 2   a ) of the container (C) in order to close the opening ( 2   b ). 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the container (C) comprises a catalyst for promoting a reaction between molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising a removable closure cap ( 3 ) that can be removably fitted onto the container for closing the container opening ( 2   b ). 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the removable closure comprises a catalyst for promoting a reaction between molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen.