Methods and systems for the preparation of molded plastic articles having a structural barrier layer

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for the preparation of a co-injection molded multilayer plastic article. Some methods include co-extruding a combined polymeric stream having an interior core stream encased by an inner stream and an outer stream. A volumetric ratio of the inner stream to outer stream is adjusted during injection of the combined stream into the a mold cavity to alter a streamline along which the interior core stream flows thereby forming cohesion member that structurally interlocks the interior layer with the inner layer, with the outer layer or with both. Some embodiments reduce or eliminate a need for addition of an adhesive in the composite stream to prevent delamination of layers of the resulting multilayer plastic article. In some embodiments, cohesion members may be employed to produce a desired cosmetic effect in a resulting article.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A co-injection molded plastic article comprising:
 an inner layer comprising a first polymeric material;   an outer layer comprising the first polymeric material; and   an interior core layer comprising a second polymeric material, disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, and configured to form a cohesion member structurally interlocking the interior core layer to the inner layer, to the outer layer, or to both the inner and outer layers.   
     
     
         20 . The molded plastic article of  claim 19 , wherein the molded plastic article is an article that is configured for use as a closure. 
     
     
         21 . The molded plastic article of  claim 19 , wherein the molded plastic article is an article that is configured for use as a container. 
     
     
         22 . The molded plastic article of  claim 19 , wherein a magnitude of a length (L) of the cohesion member is the same as or less than a magnitude of a local thickness (T) of the molded plastic article at the cohesion member. 
     
     
         23 . The molded plastic article of  claim 19 , wherein none of the interior core layer, the inner layer and the outer layer includes a compounded adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The molded plastic article of  claim 19 , wherein the cohesion member comprises a first segment of the interior core layer overlapping a second segment of the interior core layer within a thickness of the molded plastic article. 
     
     
         25 - 30 . (canceled)