Flexible Container Coating Compositions

Abstract

A coating composition comprising a high molecular weight polyester, a trimellitic anhydride-polyol adduct and a curing agent is disclosed. The compositions are useful in coating food and beverage containers, particularly 2-piece cans formed by drawing and redrawing (DRD).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coating composition, comprising:
 (a) 60 to 90 percent by weight of at least one active hydrogen-containing polyester having a number average molecular weight of at least 15,000, an acid value below 5, and a hydroxyl value below 10;   (b) 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of a polyanhydride hardener comprising an active hydrogen;   (c) 5 to 30 percent by weight of a curing agent reactive with the active hydrogens associated with (a) and (b),   the percentages being based on weight of resin solids of the coating composition,   wherein the coating composition is substantially free, essentially free, and/or completely free of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE).   
     
     
         2 . The coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyanhydride hardener has the following structural formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where m=2 to 4 and X is a divalent, trivalent, or tetravalent organic group including mixed groups. 
     
     
         3 . The coating composition of  claim 2  in which X is a group of the structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where R 1  is C 2  to C 6  alkylene or C 2  to C 3  alkylidyne. 
     
     
         4 . The coating composition of  claim 3  in which R 1  is a mixed organic group comprising C 2  to C 6  alkylene and C 2  to C 3  alkylidyne. 
     
     
         5 . The coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyanhydride hardener is prepared by reacting trimellitic anhydride with a polyol. 
     
     
         6 . The coating composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an epoxidized polybutadiene polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active hydrogen-containing polyester comprises:
 a first active hydrogen-containing polyester having a number average molecular weight of at least 20,000, an acid value below 5, and a hydroxyl value below 10; and   a second active hydrogen-containing polyester different from the first active hydrogen-containing polyester and having a number average molecular weight of at least 30,000, an acid value below 5, and a hydroxyl value below 10.   
     
     
         8 . The coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the coating composition comprises less than 5 percent by weight of the polyanhydride hardener. 
     
     
         9 . The coating composition of  claim 6 , wherein the coating composition comprises from 0.05 to 1.0 percent by weight of the epoxidized polybutadiene polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyanhydride hardener is prepared from trimellitic anhydride and wherein the curing agent is an aminoplast curing agent. 
     
     
         11 . A coated can, comprising:
 a can body; and   a coating layer coated onto at least a portion of the can body, the coating layer formed from the coating composition of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         12 . The coated can of  claim 11 , wherein the coating layer is formed over a food contact surface of the can body. 
     
     
         13 . The coated can of  claim 11 , wherein the coating composition is applied to a planar metal sheet before the planar metal sheet is drawn to form the can body. 
     
     
         14 . The coated can of  claim 11 , wherein the can body comprises aluminum and/or steel. 
     
     
         15 . The coated can of  claim 11 , wherein the coated can is a two-piece can comprising a body portion and an end portion, wherein the coating layer is formed over an interior surface of the two-piece can. 
     
     
         16 . The coated can of  claim 11 , wherein the coated can comprises a single coating layer formed over the can body. 
     
     
         17 . A method for preparing a metal can, comprising:
 applying the coating composition of  claim 1  to a planar metal sheet prior to drawing of the planar metal sheet;   curing the coating composition to form a coating layer on the planar metal sheet;   drawing the coated planar metal sheet into a cup; and   successively re-drawing the cup into lengthened side walls to form the metal can.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the planar metal sheet comprises aluminum and/or steel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the metal can comprises a two-piece can. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the metal can comprises a food contact surface, wherein the coating layer is formed over at least a portion of the food contact surface.