Patent Application
20100264147
The field of the present invention relates to methods of packaging one-component moisture-curing compositions and pre-packaged one-component moisture-curing compositions, such as paints, primers, rust preventive coatings, sealers, and polyurethane compositions (which may be clear or pigmented).
Polyurethane coatings are widely used in various applications, including for commercial, automotive and industrial protective coatings, as well as for use as decorative coatings on walls, floors and other surfaces. Moisture-curing polyurethane coatings are, for example, a highly desirable group of polyurethane coatings. Typical applications for such coatings include, but are not limited to, paints for prefabricated metal buildings, bridges, machinery, aircraft, vehicles, automotive parts, frames, chassis and chassis components, marine structures, ships, etc. The durable film exhibited by moisture cured polyurethane coatings forms a barrier that is resistant to moisture, oxygen, corrosion and damage to the coated surface.
These moisture-curing polyurethane coatings include adducts of diisocyanates or polyisocyanate/polyol combinations, with an excess of isocyanate groups (prepolymers) that chemically react and cross-link with atmospheric moisture at ambient or elevated temperatures to form insoluble high molecular weight polyurethanes/polyureas. Such properties cause these types of one-component moisture-curing compositions, e.g., polyurethane paints, to “glue” surfaces together. This “gluing” property often creates significant problems with the packaging that is used to house these types of compositions.
Specifically, one-component moisture-curing compositions are typically packaged and housed in traditional metal paint cans, which are well-known to have a generally cylindrical shape and a lid that is mechanically attached thereto through corresponding grooves located around the perimeter of the top side of the can and the perimeter of the lid. Once the traditional metal paint cans are opened, and a one-component moisture-curing composition is decanted therefrom and the lid is replaced and secured to the can, the lid often becomes “glued” and permanently bonded to the can. This often renders the lid unusable for future re-opening (and use of the constituent one-component moisture-curing composition difficult—if not impossible). Users of these one-component moisture-curing compositions, typically automotive restorers, automotive refinish and body collision professionals, and contractors performing industrial metal maintenance, sandblasting and refinishing, will often resort to punching holes in the paint cans to access the contents after they have mangled and almost destroyed the containers in an attempt to pry the “glued” lid from the can.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for improved packaging containers, and methods of use thereof, for housing one-component moisture-curing compositions, such as paints, primers, rust preventive coatings, sealers, and polyurethane compositions.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, methods for packaging one-component moisture-curing compositions are provided. Such methods generally comprise providing a specialized container with a desirable amount of a one-component moisture-curing composition. In certain embodiments, the container will preferably comprise a body portion, a spout, and a cap. The body portion may be comprised of a metallic material, whereas the cap will, preferably, be comprised of a non-metallic material, such as plastic. According to certain embodiments, the spout of such containers is substantially narrower than the body portion, e.g., the spout has a diameter that is substantially smaller than the diameter of the body portion. The overall size (volume) of the container may vary, depending on the amount of one-component moisture-curing composition to be held. Non-limiting examples of such containers may be 8, 16, or 32 ounce containers or, in certain embodiments, the containers are 1-gallon containers with an extendable, non-metallic spout disposed in the top portion thereof.
According to additional embodiments of the present invention, pre-packaged one-component moisture-curing compositions are provided, which are packaged in the containers described herein. More particularly, a non-limiting example of such pre-packaged products may comprise a one-component moisture-curing composition housed in a container, which preferably includes a metallic body portion, a spout, and a non-metallic cap. As described herein, the spout of such containers will, preferably, be substantially narrower than the body portion thereof. Such pre-packaged one-component moisture-curing products may include, for example, one-component moisture-curing paints, primers, rust preventive coatings, sealers, or polyurethane compositions.
The above-mentioned and additional features of the present invention are further illustrated in the Detailed Description contained herein.
The following will describe in detail several preferred embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are provided by way of explanation only, and thus, should not unduly restrict the scope of the invention. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that the invention teaches many variations and modifications, and that numerous variations of the invention may be employed, used and made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
One-component moisture-curing compositions are typically packaged and housed in traditional metal paint cans. A non-limiting example of such traditional paint cans is shown in
The foregoing problem is most apparent when cans containing one-component moisture curing compositions are opened for use, and small amounts of product spills into the “groove” 6 or “lip” on the top side of the traditional metal style paint can. After re-sealing the lid 2 to the body portion 4 of the can, the spilled product located in the groove 6 will serve to permanently bond the lid 2 to the body portion 4 of the can. This strength of the resulting bond can be considerable, requiring that the can be practically destroyed in order to access its contents. The present invention obviates many of the foregoing problems associated with using convention paint cans, such as the can shown in
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, methods for packaging one-component moisture-curing compositions are provided. Such methods generally comprise providing a specialized container with a desirable amount of a one-component moisture-curing composition. Referring to
The invention provides that the cap 10 may be secured to the body portion 12 of the container using any suitable means. For example, referring to
According to certain embodiments, and referring to
According to additional embodiments of the present invention, the containers may comprise 1-gallon volumes, and include a non-metallic spout disposed in the top portion thereof. This embodiment is illustrated in
The invention provides that the containers described herein are not limited to cylindrically-shaped containers. Rather, subject to the other limitations described herein, the containers may exhibit any of a variety of regular or irregular shapes and configurations. Referring to
The invention further provides that the spout will, preferably, protrude outwards from the body portion of the container. In other words, although the spout of the container may comprise an aperture located in the top side of the container, the invention provides that a spout 18 will preferably protrude outwards and away from the body portion 12 of the container, e.g., as shown in
When the spout is configured to be narrower than the body portion of the container, the one-component moisture-curing composition may be easily decanted therefrom. Next, given its relatively narrow configuration, and because the spout will preferably protrude outwards from the body portion of the container, the spout may be easily wiped clean with a towel, to remove any excess one-component moisture-curing composition. This will mitigate the possibility of the cap becoming glued to the spout. In addition, when the cap is comprised of, for example, a plastic material, the one-component moisture-curing composition will be less likely to create a strong bond between the plastic cap and, for example, a metal spout.
According to additional embodiments of the present invention, pre-packaged one-component moisture-curing compositions are provided, which are packaged in the containers described herein. More particularly, a non-limiting example of such pre-packaged products may comprise a one-component moisture-curing composition housed in a container, which preferably includes a metallic body portion, a spout, and a non-metallic cap. As described herein, the spout of such containers will, preferably, be substantially narrower than the body portion thereof.
The pre-packaged one-component moisture-curing compositions may include, for example, one-component moisture-curing paints, primers, rust preventive coatings, sealers, and polyurethane compositions—which may be clear or pigmented. These compositions may be pigmented, as desired, and additives (such as catalysts) may be incorporated to control composition properties, such as the time required for curing of the coating. A solvent, or a variety of solvents, may also be present in the coating to adjust viscosity and provide fluidity for proper application. The invention provides that such pre-packaged one-component moisture-curing compositions, which are packaged in the containers described herein, will preferably comprise one or more types of isocyanates, including, but not limited to, aliphatic polyisocyanates, diisocyanates, aromatic isocyanates, or combinations thereof.
It is to be understood that both the general description and the detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, but are not restrictive of the invention. The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.
