US5103550A — Method of making a food or beverage container

Claim 1

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of fabricating a food or beverage container or container panel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) providing a coating of at least one of aluminum oxide and aluminum hydroxide thereon; (d) thereafter, treating said coating with an organic phosphorus-containing compound to chemically bond a functionalized layer of said organic phosphorus-containing compound on said coating; (e) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (f) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of fabricating a food or beverage container or container panel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) providing a coating of at least one of aluminum oxide and aluminum hydroxide thereon; (d) thereafter, treating said coating with an organic phosphorus-containing compound to chemically bond a functionalized layer of said organic phosphorus-containing compound on said coating; (e) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (f) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 including the step of cutting blanks from said coated sheet product.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said forming includes drawing said coated sheet product into a cup shaped container.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said forming includes drawing and redrawing to form a cup shaped container.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said forming includes drawing and ironing to form a food or beverage container.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coating is an aluminum hydroxide coating formed by treatment with a solution at a pH in the range of 2 to 14.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 50 wherein the pH is in the range of 7 to 10.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the treating is at a temperature of from room temperature to 200° C.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the treating is at a temperature of from room temperature to 100° C.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the treating is at a temperature of from 50° to 100° C.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the treating is in an aqueous solution containing a material selected from the group consisting of triethanol amine, propyl amine, triethyl amine, alkali metal hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate and bicarbonate, alkali metal phosphate or alkali metal silicate.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the treating is with triethylamine.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the treating is at least 1 second.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the treating is from 1 to 100 seconds.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said acid comprises a solution having a concentration ranging from about 0.001 molar to a saturated solution of said acid.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said acid comprises a solution having a concentration ranging from about 0.1 to about 2 molar of said acid.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 158 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said acid is selected from the class consisting of: (a) a compound having the formula R m (PO(OH) 2 ) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of radicals; and n is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of phosphonic acid groups; and (b) a compound having the formula R m R' o (PO(OH)) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of R radicals; R' may be comprised of 1-30 carbon-containing radicals; o is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of R' radicals; and n is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of phosphinic acid groups; and mixtures of the compounds in (a) and (b).

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 65 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said acid ia soluble phosphonic acid having the formula R m (PO(OH) 2 ) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of radicals; and n is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of phosphonic acid groups.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 99 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said acid is a soluble phosphinic acid having the formula R m R' o (PO(OH)) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of R radicals in the compound and is in the range of 1-10; R' may be comprised of 1-30 carbon-containing radicals; o is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of R' radicals; and n is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of phosphinic acid groups.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method in accordance with claim 19 wherein the compound is hydrogen phosphonic acid.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sheet product is fabricated from an aluminum alloy selected from AA3000 and AA5000 series alloys.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sheet product is fabricated from AA5182 and AA5352 and formed into ends for beverage containers.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the functionalized layer has a thickness of less than 1000Å.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the functionalized layer has a thickness of less than 200Å.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the functionalized layer has a thickness of less than 100Å.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the functionalized layer has a thickness in the range of 5 to 50Å.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the functionalized layer and in step (c) have a phosphorus to aluminum ratio of about 0.01 to 1.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 175 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said compound comprises a water soluble phosphoric acid material selected from the class consisting of: (a) a phosphoric acid ester salt having the formula (RO)PO(OX) 2 or (RO)PO(OH) (OX) or (RO) (R'O)PO(OX) wherein R or R' is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons and X is ammonia, hydrogen, or a metal selected from alkali, alkaline earth and transition metals; and (b) phosphoric acid ester selected from (RO) m (PO(OH) 2 ) n or (RO) m (R'O) k (PO(OH)) n and (RO) m (R'O) k (R"O) q (PO) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; R' and R" is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; m, k or q is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of radicals RO, R'O or R"O, respectively; and n is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of phosphoric acid groups; and mixtures of the acid ester salt and the acid ester.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 66 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said compound comprises a phosphoric acid ester having the formula (RO) m (PO(OH) 2 ) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of radicals; and n is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of phosphoric acid groups.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 91 words

The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said compound comprises a water soluble phosphoric acid ester having the formula (RO) m (R'O) o (PO(OH)) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of R radicals; R' may be comprised of 1-30 carbon-containing radicals; o is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of R' radicals; and n is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of phosphoric acid groups.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 178 words

A method of fabricating food or beverage containers or container panels comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) subjecting the sheet product to a treatment in an aqueous solution containing triethylamine at a temperature in the range of room temperature to 100° C. and having a pH in the range of 8 to 10 to form a layer of aluminum hydroxide on said substrate; (d) thereafter treating said sheet product with a phosphorus-containing acid selected from phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid ester having a concentration of 0.1 to 2 molar to form a functionalized layer on said aluminum hydroxide layer, the functionalized layer comprised of the reaction product of said acid and the layer of aluminum hydroxide and having a thickness of less than 200Å; (e) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (f) cutting blanks from said coated sheet product; and (g) forming said blanks into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 178 words

A method of fabricating food or beverage containers or container panels comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) subjecting the sheet product to a treatment in an aqueous solution containing triethylamine at a temperature in the range of room temperature to 100° C. and having a pH in the range of 8 to 10 to form a layer of aluminum hydroxide on said substrate; (d) thereafter treating said sheet product with a phosphorus-containing acid selected from phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid ester having a concentration of 0.1 to 2 molar to form a functionalized layer on said aluminum hydroxide layer, the functionalized layer comprised of the reaction product of said acid and the layer of aluminum hydroxide and having a thickness of less than 200Å; (e) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (f) cutting blanks from said coated sheet product; and (g) forming said blanks into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of fabricating food or beverage containers or container panels comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) anodizing said sheet product in an acid having an organic phosphorus-containing compound to form an aluminum oxide layer and a functionalized layer on the sheet product; (d) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (e) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of fabricating food or beverage containers or container panels comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) anodizing said sheet product in an acid having an organic phosphorus-containing compound to form an aluminum oxide layer and a functionalized layer on the sheet product; (d) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (e) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein the phosphorus-containing compound is selected from phosphonic and phosphinic acid.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method in accordance with claim 33 wherein the acid is a monomeric phosphonic or phosphinic acid.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein the organic phosphorus-containing compound is selected from phosphonic and phosphinic acid or phosphoric acid ester.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 146 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein the acid is selected from the class consisting of: (a) a compound having the formula R m (PO(OH) 2 ) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of radicals; and n is the number of phosphonic acid groups; and (b) R m R' o (PO(OH)) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of R radicals; R' may be comprised of 1-30 carbon-containing radials; o is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of R' radicals; and n is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of phosphinic acid groups; and mixtures of the compounds in (a) and (b).

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 66 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein said acid comprises a soluble phosphonic acid having the formula R m (PO(OH) 2 ) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of radicals; and n is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of phosphonic acid groups.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 82 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein said acid comprises a soluble phosphinic acid having the formula R m R' o (PO(OH)) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is the number of R radicals; R' may be comprised of 1-30 carbon-containing radicals; o is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of R' radicals; and n is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of phosphinic acid groups.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method in accordance with claim 38 wherein the acid is hydrogen phosphonic acid.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein said acid comprises a soluble monomeric phosphonic acid having the formula RPO(OH) 2 where R is a 1-12 carbon-containing monomeric radical.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein said acid comprises a soluble monomeric phosphinic acid having the formula RR'PO(OH) where both R and R' may each be comprised of 1-12 carbon-containing monomeric radicals.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 169 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein said acid comprises a soluble phosphoric acid ester selected from the class consisting of: (a) a phosphoric acid ester salt having the formula (RO)PO(OX) 2 or (RO)PO(OH) (OX) or (RO) (R'O)PO(OX) wherein R or R' is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons and x is selected from ammonia, alkali, alkaline earth and transition metals; and (b) or a compound having the formula (RO) m (PO(OH) 2 ) n or (RO) m (R'O) k (PO(OH)) n or (RO) m (R'O) k (R"O) q (PO) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; R' and R" is one or more radicals having a total of 1-30 carbons; m, k or q is a number 1 to 12 and is the number or radicals RO, R'O or R"O, respectively; and n is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of phosphoric acid groups; and mixtures of the compounds in (a) and (b).

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 72 words

The method in accordance with claim 42 wherein said acid ester comprises a soluble phosphoric acid ester having the formula RO m n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is a number 1 to 10 and is the number of radicals and is i the range of 1-10; and n is the number of phosphoric acid groups and is in the range of 1-10.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 92 words

The method in accordance with claim 43 wherein said acid ester comprises a water soluble phosphoric acid ester having the formula (RO) m (R'O) o (PO(OH)) n wherein R is one or more radicals having a total of 1-12 carbons; m is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of R radicals; R' may be comprised of 1-30 carbon-containing radicals; o is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of R' radicals; and n is a number 1 to 12 and is the number of phosphoric acid groups.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein said acid comprises an aqueous solution having a concentration ranging from about 0.001 molar to a saturated solution of said acid.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein said acid comprises forming an aqueous solution having a concentration ranging from about 0.1 to about 2 molar of said acid.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein the sheet product is fabricated from an aluminum alloy selected from AA3000 and AA5000 series alloys.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method in accordance with claim 33 wherein the sheet product is fabricated from AA5182 and AA5352 and formed into ends for beverage containers.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 33 wherein the oxide layer has a thickness of 100 to 5000Å.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 33 wherein the functionalized layer has a thickness of less than 200Å.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method in accordance with claim 33 wherein the functionalized layer has a thickness of less than 100Å.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method-in accordance with claim 33 wherein the functionalized layer has a thickness of less than 30Å.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method in accordance with claim 33 wherein the functionalized layer and the oxide layer have a phosphorus to aluminum ratio of about 0.001 to 0.5.

Claim 57

Independent Claim 156 words

A method of fabricating food or beverage containers or container panels comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) providing an aluminum substrate as an anode in an anodizing electrolyte comprised of a water containing solution having a phosphorus-containing organic compound selected from the group consisting of phosphinic acids, phosphonic acids and phosphoric acid esters; (d) anodizing said substrate under conditions to form an oxide layer having a thickness of 100 to 5000Å on said aluminum substrate and a functionalized layer on a surface of said barrier layer, the functionalized layer having a thickness of less than 200Å, the oxide and functionalized layer having a phosphorus to aluminum ratio of 0.001 to 0.5; (e) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (f) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 58

Independent Claim 156 words

A method of fabricating food or beverage containers or container panels comprising the steps of: (a) providing a body of aluminum base alloy; (b) working said body to a sheet product; (c) providing an aluminum substrate as an anode in an anodizing electrolyte comprised of a water containing solution having a phosphorus-containing organic compound selected from the group consisting of phosphinic acids, phosphonic acids and phosphoric acid esters; (d) anodizing said substrate under conditions to form an oxide layer having a thickness of 100 to 5000Å on said aluminum substrate and a functionalized layer on a surface of said barrier layer, the functionalized layer having a thickness of less than 200Å, the oxide and functionalized layer having a phosphorus to aluminum ratio of 0.001 to 0.5; (e) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (f) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 108 words

In the method of producing a food or beverage container or container panel wherein an aluminum alloy is formed to produce said container or container panel from a sheet product of said alloy, the improvement comprising: (a) providing a coating of at least one of aluminum oxide and aluminum hydroxide on the sheet product; (b) thereafter, treating said coating with an organic phosphorus-containing compound to chemically bond a functionalized layer of said organic phosphorus-containing compound on said coating; (c) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (d) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 108 words

In the method of producing a food or beverage container or container panel wherein an aluminum alloy is formed to produce said container or container panel from a sheet product of said alloy, the improvement comprising: (a) providing a coating of at least one of aluminum oxide and aluminum hydroxide on the sheet product; (b) thereafter, treating said coating with an organic phosphorus-containing compound to chemically bond a functionalized layer of said organic phosphorus-containing compound on said coating; (c) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (d) forming said coated sheet product into food or beverage containers or container panels.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 106 words

In the method of producing a food or beverage container or container panel wherein an aluminum alloy is formed to produce a lid for said container from a sheet product of said alloy, the improvement comprising: (a) providing a coating of at least one of aluminum oxide and aluminum hydroxide on the sheet product; (b) thereafter, treating said coating with an organic phosphorus-containing compound to chemically bond a functionalized layer of said organic phosphorus-containing compound on said coating; (c) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (d) forming said coated sheet product into a lid for said container.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 106 words

In the method of producing a food or beverage container or container panel wherein an aluminum alloy is formed to produce a lid for said container from a sheet product of said alloy, the improvement comprising: (a) providing a coating of at least one of aluminum oxide and aluminum hydroxide on the sheet product; (b) thereafter, treating said coating with an organic phosphorus-containing compound to chemically bond a functionalized layer of said organic phosphorus-containing compound on said coating; (c) applying a polymer coating on said functionalized layer to provide a coated sheet product; and (d) forming said coated sheet product into a lid for said container.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-04-14	1995-10-14	1996-04-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-04-14	1999-10-14	2000-04-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-04-14	2003-10-14	2004-04-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of making a food or beverage container

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