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US4478874A
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Methods for improving the gas barrier properties of polymeric containers
Assignee: Cosden Technology Inc
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Filing: 1983-12-09
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Granted: 1984-10-23
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Expires: 2003-12-09
Abstract
Abstract Methods are disclosed for the treatment of food, beverage, and medicine containers and the like, which are made of organic polymeric resins, to greatly increase the gas barrier properties thereof. The containers are ion-plated with a very thin flexible layer of an inorganic oxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Granville J. Hahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:21
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D7/00; B05D7/02; B05D7/24; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/06; C23C14/08; C23C14/083; C23C14/10; C23C14/22; C23C14/24; C23C14/32; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31551; Y10T428/31616; Y10T428/31645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for decreasing the gas permeability of containers made of polymeric resins, said method comprising: placing clean empty polymeric containers in a vacuum chamber; evacuating a substantial portion of the atmosphere from said chamber; vaporizing an inorganic oxide material in said chamber; ionizing said vaporized material; and, biasing said ionized material to impinge on a substantial portion of the surface of said containers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for decreasing the gas permeability of containers made of polymeric resins, said method comprising: placing clean empty polymeric containers in a vacuum chamber; evacuating a substantial portion of the atmosphere from said chamber; vaporizing an inorganic oxide material in said chamber; ionizing said vaporized material; and, biasing said ionized material to impinge on a substantial portion of the surface of said containers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said chamber is evacuated to a level of around 1×10 -5 Torr.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said containers are made of a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and polyesters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inorganic oxide material is selected from the group consisting of silicon monoxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, and metallic oxides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inorganic material is coated uniformly on said containers to a thickness of up to about 500 Angstroms.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of improving the gas barrier characteristics of containers made of organic resins, said method comprising coating a substantial portion of the surface of said containers with an inorganic oxide material by gasless ion plating.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of improving the gas barrier characteristics of containers made of organic resins, said method comprising coating a substantial portion of the surface of said containers with an inorganic oxide material by gasless ion plating.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of treating containers to reduce the ingress and egress of gases through the walls thereof, said method comprising: locating at least one of said containers in a vacuum chamber; evacuating the atmosphere from said chamber to a vacuum of around 1×10 -5 Torr; locating in said chamber a plating material comprising an inorganic oxide; creating an ionized plasma of said inorganic oxide; and, biasing said plasma toward said container and impinging it on said container surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of treating containers to reduce the ingress and egress of gases through the walls thereof, said method comprising: locating at least one of said containers in a vacuum chamber; evacuating the atmosphere from said chamber to a vacuum of around 1×10 -5 Torr; locating in said chamber a plating material comprising an inorganic oxide; creating an ionized plasma of said inorganic oxide; and, biasing said plasma toward said container and impinging it on said container surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said biasing step is continued until a layer of up to 500 Angstroms thickness is created on said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-23 | 1988-04-23 | 1988-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-23 | 1992-04-23 | 1992-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-23 | 1996-04-23 | 1996-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |