Laminate Tube Having a Resilent Copolymer Coating

Abstract

A dispenser for storing and dispensing a substance, includes: (a) an inner layer including an inner layer polymer; (b) outer layer; (c) a metal foil barrier layer between the inner layer and the outer layer; (d) a compartment for storing the substance; and (e) a resealable opening, wherein the outer layer includes an outer layer polymer and a block copolymer effective to provide the outer layer with an impact resistance at least 5% greater than a reference structure. The inner layer polymer is preferably LDPE, the outer layer polymer is preferably a blend of LDPE, HDPE and block copolymer or alternatively the outer layer is subdivided into layers of LDPE, HDPE and block-copolymer, in this order. The block copolymer is preferably an SBS block copolymer having thermoplastic elastomer properties. The dispenser is particularly well-suited for dispensing toothpaste.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for storing and dispensing a substance, the dispenser comprising:
 a compartment for storing the substance; and   an opening in the dispenser in communication with the compartment for dispensing the substance,   an inner layer defining an inner surface of the compartment;   an outer layer defining the outer surface of the dispenser;   a barrier layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;   wherein the outer layer comprises a outer coating of a block copolymer, the copolymer coating being effective to provide the outer layer with an impact resistance at least 5% greater than a reference structure.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the impact resistance of the outer layer is at least 20% greater than the impact resistance of the reference structure. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein when the outer layer has a thickness of 120 microns, the impact resistance of the outer layer is greater than 180 g. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the inner layer comprising an inner layer polymer and the outer layer comprises an outer layer polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the inner layer polymer and the outer layer polymer comprise polyethylene. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the inner layer polymer comprises LDPE, the outer layer polymer comprises LDPE and HDPE, and the block copolymer comprises an SBS block copolymer having thermoplastic elastomer properties. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the barrier layer comprises a metal foil. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the metal foil comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, further comprising an inner adhesive layer between the inner layer and the barrier layer, and an outer adhesive layer between the barrier layer and the outer layer. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the inner adhesive layer and the outer adhesive layer comprise ethylene acrylic acid. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of any of  claims 1 - 10 , wherein the barrier layer is bonded directly to the inner layer and the outer layer without any adhesive therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is sufficiently collapsible such that the substance can be extruded from the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the substance in the dispenser is a member selected from the group consisting of a paste, a gel and a cream. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the substance is a dentifrice. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the substance is toothpaste. 
     
     
         16 . A dispenser for storing and dispensing a substance, the dispenser comprising:
 an inner layer comprising LDPE;   an outer layer;   an aluminum barrier layer between the inner layer and the outer layer;   a compartment defined by an inner surface of the inner layer, said compartment for storing the substance; and   a resealable opening for dispensing selected amounts of the substance,   wherein the outer layer comprises LDPE, HDPE and an SBS block copolymer having thermoplastic elastomer properties.   
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein the outer layer has an impact resistance at least 5% greater than a reference structure. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein the outer layer has an impact resistance at least 20% greater than a reference structure. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of any of  claims 16 - 18 , wherein when the outer layer has a thickness of 120 microns, the impact resistance of the outer layer is greater than 180 g. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of any of  claims 16 - 19 , further comprising an inner adhesive layer between the inner layer and the barrier layer, and an outer adhesive layer between the barrier layer and the outer layer, wherein the inner adhesive layer and the outer adhesive layer comprise ethylene acrylic acid. 
     
     
         21 . The dispenser of any of  claims 16 - 20 , wherein the barrier layer is bonded directly to the inner layer and the outer layer without any adhesive therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . The dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are radiation graft modified and/or plasma modified for direct adhesion to the barrier layer. 
     
     
         23 . The dispenser of any of  claims 16 - 22 , wherein: (a) the outer layer has an impact resistance at least 20% greater than a reference structure; (b) when the outer layer has a thickness of 120 microns, the impact resistance of the outer layer is greater than 180 g; and (c) the substance is toothpaste.