The present application relates to the field of coated paperboard containers and, more particularly, coated paperboard containers having an aqueous barrier coating.
Paperboard is used in various packaging applications, such as containers. For example, paperboard is used in the food and beverage industry to form paperboard cups for holding hot or cold beverages.
Paperboard cups for holding hot beverages typically require enhanced liquid barrier properties on an interior surface of the cup to minimize absorption of liquid from the beverage into the paperboard substrate. Paperboard cups for holding cold beverages typically require enhanced liquid barrier properties on an interior surface of the cup to minimize absorption of liquid from the beverage into the paperboard substrate and on an exterior surface of the cup to minimize absorption of liquid from condensate into the paperboard substrate.
The paperboard is typically heat sealable, making it possible to form paperboard cups on a cup machine. Polyethylene (PE) extrusion coated paperboard currently still dominates in such applications by providing both good barrier and good heat sealing properties. However, such paperboard cups having a polyethylene extrusion coating have difficulties in recycling and repulping due to difficulty of breaking down the polyethylene film during the re-pulping process, and, thus, are not easily recyclable, causing environmental concerns. Thus, there are increasing demands for alternative solutions including new coating technologies to replace polyethylene extrusion coated paperboard cups.
Further, many paperboard containers that do not have a polyethylene coating can experience problems with liquid penetration. Liquid penetration can compromise structural integrity of the paperboard container, stain the inner surface of the container, and stain the outer surface of the container. The structural and staining issues may be exacerbated under conditions of elevated temperature, increased air flow, or when aggressive additives are placed in the container such as acidic soda drinks.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development in the field of coated paperboard containers.
In one example, a coated paperboard container includes an inner paperboard substrate, an outer paperboard substrate, a first aqueous barrier coating located on the inner paperboard substrate, and a second aqueous barrier coating located on the outer paperboard substrate. The inner paperboard substrate and the outer paperboard substrate are coupled with an adhesive. The first aqueous barrier coating and the second aqueous barrier coating include a pigment and a binder, and the first aqueous barrier coating is heat sealable.
In one example, a method of manufacturing a double-wall cup having an inner paperboard substrate coated with a first aqueous barrier coating and an outer paperboard substrate coated with a second aqueous barrier coating includes forming a cup structure with the inner paperboard substrate, applying an adhesive to the cup structure, and overwrapping the cup structure with the outer paperboard substrate.
In one example, a double wall cup includes an inner paperboard substrate, an outer paperboard substrate, a first aqueous barrier coating located on the inner paperboard substrate, a second aqueous barrier coating located on the outer paperboard substrate, and an adhesive located between the inner paperboard substrate and the outer paperboard substrate.
Sustainability is a key driver in development of new packaging containers for food products. Paperboard with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) extrusion coating is typically used in the food industry. These coatings are not easily recyclable, however, and thus raise environmental concerns. Paperboard coated with aqueous coatings is generally considered recyclable and thus more sustainable, but typically does not yield the same structural properties as paperboard coated in LDPE. In particular, paperboard with an aqueous coating typically yields inferior level of liquid holdout when compared with containers of LDPE coated paperboard.
Many beverages, such as coffee, soda, sports drinks, etc. contain oils and surfactants that can damage and penetrate aqueous barrier coating layers through the paperboard wall. Creating a thicker structure with additional barriers may stop or significantly delay the degradation process and thus extend the life of a paperboard container by modifying the liquid absorption and transmission mechanism. One example for modification of the liquid absorption and transmission mechanism is use of an overwrap. Another example includes use of a low vapor-transmission-rate coating on the outside wall of a single-wall container.
In an example, present description relates to a coated paperboard container having a side wall comprised of an inner paperboard substrate and an outer paperboard substrate, otherwise referred to as an overwrap. The inner paperboard substrate and outer paperboard substrate each have an aqueous barrier coating, with excellent performance and properties. The aqueous barrier coatings easily break down during repulping and, thus, are more easily repulpable than paperboard containers having a polyethylene extrusion coating. Further, the coated paperboard container of the present description exhibits significantly improved performance and properties over the conventional aqueous barrier coated paperboard cups. Aqueous barrier coated paperboard containers having different coating structures and configurations were tested and evaluated for a wide range of properties and performance.
In an example, the coated paperboard container further includes a bottom wall that includes a bottom stock paperboard substrate and an aqueous barrier coating on the interior surface of the bottom stock paperboard substrate, in which a circumferential portion of the bottom stock paperboard substrate is heat sealed, by way at least one of the aqueous barrier coating of the sidewall and the aqueous barrier coating of the bottom wall, to a lower end of the sidewall paperboard substrate. Details of the testing and evaluation methods are described herein.
An adhesive 150 may be located between inner paperboard substrate 110 and outer paperboard substrate 120. Adhesive 150 may be configured to couple inner paperboard substrate 110 with outer paperboard substrate 120. In an example, adhesive 150 is glue. Adhesive 150 may be applied in generally circular drops along an outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110. In an example, adhesive 150 may be applied as a single layer along outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110.
First aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140 may include a pigment and a binder. In one expression, the ratio of the binder to the pigment can be at least about 1:2 by weight. In another expression, the ratio of the binder to the pigment can be about 1:2 to about 9:1 by weight. In another expression, the ratio of the binder to the pigment can be about 1:1 to about 4:1 by weight. In yet another expression, the ratio of the binder to the pigment can be at least about 1:1 by weight.
In an example, the pigment may include calcium carbonate (CaCO3) pigment. In an example, the CaCO3 pigment can be a coarse ground CaCO3 with a particle size distribution wherein about 60 percent of the particles are less than 2 microns. In an example, the CaCO3 pigment can be a fine ground CaCO3 with a particle size distribution wherein about 90 percent of the particles are less than 2 microns. In an example, the CaCO3 pigment can be a fine ground CaCO3 with a mean particle size of about 0.4 microns. In an example, the pigment may be a platy clay having a high aspect ratio. In an example, the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140 may include any combination of pigments described herein, including a combination of a calcium carbonate pigment and clay pigment.
The binder may be a water-based acrylic emulsion polymer having a glass transition temperature, Tg, of approximately 30° C. In an example, the binder may be a water-based styrene-acrylic latex polymer having a Tg of approximately 8° C. As one general, non-limiting example, the binder may be styrene-acrylate (SA). As another general, non-limiting example, the binder may be a mixture of binders that includes styrene-acrylate (SA). Other aqueous binders are also contemplated, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene acrylic acid (EAA), polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), polyvinyl acrylic, polyester dispersion, and combinations thereof.
In an example, the first and second aqueous barrier coatings 130, 140 each has a two-layer barrier coating with a coat weight ranging from about 6.0 lb/3 msf to about 10.0 lb/3 msf, such as from about 7.5 lb/3 msf to about 7.8 lb/3 msf, for the first layer 130A, 140A (see
A top coat layer 160 may be applied to the exterior surface 124 of the outer paperboard substrate 120 using any suitable method, such as one or more coater. The top coat layer 160 may include a binder and a pigment. The pigments and binders useful for the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140 may also be used in top coat layer 160. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:1 to about 1:10 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2 to about 1:8 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2.5 to about 1:5 by weight.
An adhesive 150 may be located between inner paperboard substrate 110 and outer paperboard substrate 120. Adhesive 150 may be configured to couple inner paperboard substrate 110 with outer paperboard substrate 120. In an example, adhesive 150 is glue. Adhesive 150 may be applied in generally circular drops along an outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110. In an example, adhesive 150 may be applied as a single layer along outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110.
A top coat layer 160 may be applied to the exterior surface 124 of the outer paperboard substrate 120 over the second aqueous barrier coating 140 using any suitable method, such as one or more coater. The top coat layer 160 may include a binder and a pigment. The pigments and binders useful for the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140 may also be used in top coat layer 160. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:1 to about 1:10 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2 to about 1:8 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2.5 to about 1:5 by weight.
An adhesive 150 may be located between inner paperboard substrate 110 and outer paperboard substrate 120. Adhesive 150 may be configured to couple inner paperboard substrate 110 with outer paperboard substrate 120. In an example, adhesive 150 is glue. Adhesive 150 may be applied in generally circular drops along an outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110. In an example, adhesive 150 may be applied as a single layer along outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110.
The first base coating 170 and second base coating 180 may be applied by a suitable method such as one or more coaters. The first base coating 170 and second base coating 180 may include similar ingredients as the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140, namely a binder and a pigment. However, in an example, the ratios may be different, namely, a ratio of the binder to the pigment in the base coating may be about 15:100 to about 45:100 by weight.
An adhesive 150 may be located between inner paperboard substrate 110 and outer paperboard substrate 120. Adhesive 150 may be configured to couple inner paperboard substrate 110 with outer paperboard substrate 120. In an example, adhesive 150 is glue. Adhesive 150 may be applied in generally circular drops along an outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110. In an example, adhesive 150 may be applied as a single layer along outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110.
The first base coating 170 and second base coating 180 may be applied by a suitable method such as one or more coaters. The first base coating 170 and second base coating 180 may include similar ingredients as the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140, namely a binder and a pigment. However, in an example, the ratios may be different, namely, a ratio of the binder to the pigment in the base coating may be about 15:100 to about 45:100 by weight.
A top coat layer 160 may be applied to the exterior surface 124 of the outer paperboard substrate 120 using any suitable method, such as one or more coater. The top coat layer 160 may include a binder and a pigment. The pigments and binders useful for the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140 may also be used in top coat layer 160. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:1 to about 1:10 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2 to about 1:8 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2.5 to about 1:5 by weight.
An adhesive 150 may be located between inner paperboard substrate 110 and outer paperboard substrate 120. Adhesive 150 may be configured to couple inner paperboard substrate 110 with outer paperboard substrate 120. In an example, adhesive 150 is glue. Adhesive 150 may be applied in generally circular drops along an outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110. In an example, adhesive 150 may be applied as a single layer along outside surface 114 of the inner paperboard substrate 110.
In an example, the method 200 comprises overwrapping 230 the cup structure with the outer paperboard substrate 120. The inner paperboard substrate 110 of method 200 may be coated with a first aqueous barrier coating 130. The first aqueous barrier coating 130 may be located on an inside surface 112 of the inner paperboard substrate 110 over a first base coating 170 located between the inner paperboard substrate 110 along the inside surface 112 and the first aqueous barrier coating 130. Outer paperboard substrate 120 may be coated with a second aqueous barrier coating 140. Second aqueous barrier coating 140 may be located on an interior surface 122 of outer paperboard substrate 120 over a second base coating 180 located between the outer paperboard substrate 120 along the interior surface 122 and the second aqueous barrier coating 140. In an example, first aqueous barrier coating 130 is heat sealable.
The first base coating 170 and second base coating 180 may be applied by a suitable method such as one or more coaters. The first base coating 170 and second base coating 180 may include similar ingredients as the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140, namely a binder and a pigment. However, in an example, the ratios may be different, namely, a ratio of the binder to the pigment in the base coating may be about 15:100 to about 45:100 by weight.
A top coat layer 160 may be applied to the exterior surface 124 of the outer paperboard substrate 120 using any suitable method, such as one or more coater. The top coat layer 160 may include a binder and a pigment. The pigments and binders useful for the first aqueous barrier coating 130 and second aqueous barrier coating 140 may also be used in top coat layer 160. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:1 to about 1:10 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2 to about 1:8 by weight. In an example, the ratio of the binder to the pigment in the top coat layer 160 may be about 1:2.5 to about 1:5 by weight.
At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various layers may be incorporated into the various paperboard structures described herein to form the bottom wall 104, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of a double-wall structure having two paperboard substrates coated in an aqueous barrier coating as described herein. Three barrier coating formulations (BC-1, BC-2, and BC-3) and one non-barrier coating formulation (NBC-1) were prepared and used in the experiments. The raw materials used in the aqueous barrier coatings in the experiments are presented in Table 1. The aqueous barrier coating formulations used in the experiments, including the amount of pigments and binders of Table 1, are presented in Table 2. The paperboard assemblies used in the experiments are presented in Table 3. The container samples used and tested in the experiments are presented in Table 4.
The various formulations of aqueous barrier coatings were applied to 18 pt, 13 pt, and 11 pt solid bleached sulfate (SBS) cupstock, or paperboard. The various aqueous barrier coatings used in the experiments were applied by a blade coater. The primary cups of Table 4 were made on a pilot cup former manufactured by Paper Machinery Corporation (PMC model 1250).
The overwrap procedure was conducted under the following conditions. First, primary, single wall cups were made on a pilot cup former (PMC model 1250). Then, some cups were overwrapped by hand using a piece of paperboard, coated or uncoated, which was pre-cut to similar shape as the cup side-wall blank. A small drop of conventional hot melt glue was placed each on the top, middle, and bottom of the primary cup sidewall where the overwrap started. Then, the top side of the overwrap was aligned below the rim of the cup, and pressure was applied on the glue spots to set the glue. Two small drops of hot melt glue were then applied at the top and bottom of the cup sidewall approximately 45° (or ⅛ of circle) from the start point, followed by setting the glue by applying pressure on the overwrap at the glue points. In some instances, an extra drop of glue was applied at the middle position similar as the first three-drop glue pattern. Double-wall or overwrapped cups were formed by repeating the step above until the overwrap was completely wrapped around the primary cup. Accordingly, a total of isolated 18 to 24 glue points were placed between the primary cup and the outer wall to secure the overwrap with an air gap of approximately 0.5-1 mm.
Water barrier effectiveness of the coatings in each Example was evaluated by water Cobb (TAPPI Standard T441 om-04) in g/m2 per 30 minutes, using 23° C. water. In other words, the Cobb test determines how much water is absorbed after 30 minutes. Water vapor barrier properties were tested and evaluated via the following test conditions: WVTR (water vapor transmission rate) at conditions of 38° C. and 90% relative humidity (TAPPI Standard T464 OM-12). Cup liquid holdout testing was conducted with Coca-Cola™. Coca-Cola™, Original, ˜4° C., was poured from 12 fluid-ounce cans into Example and Control test cups to a level of approximately 10 mm below the rim of the cup. The cups containing Coca-Cola™ were then put into an environmental chamber pre-set at 49° C. and 50% relative humidity. After 4 hours, the cups were emptied and then immediately evaluated for staining, leakage, and damage.
In an aspect, the coated paperboard of the present description has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 500 grams per square meter per day. In another aspect, the coated paperboard of the present description has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 400 grams per square meter per day. In yet another aspect, the coated paperboard of the present description has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 300 grams per square meter per day. In yet another aspect, the coated paperboard of the present description has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 200 grams per square meter per day. The moisture vapor barrier is evaluated by WVTR (water vapor transmission rate) at 38° C. and 90% relative humidity following TAPPI Standard T464 OM-12.
Each Control and Example was photographed at the end of the experiments to compare the amount of staining on the interior, or felt, wall and exterior, or wire, wall of the sidewall 102. As illustrated in
Although various aspects of the disclosed heat sealable paperboard structures and associated paperboard-based containers have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63059348 | Jul 2020 | US |