High barrier closure liner for carbonated beverage containers and the like

Abstract

A multi-layer closure liner for carbonated beverage containers and the like, including a gas barrier layer, a first tie layer on an upper surface of the gas barrier layer, a second tie layer on a lower surface of the gas barrier layer, a first polyolefinic resin layer on the upper surface of the first tie layer, and a second polyolefinic layer on the lower surface of the second tie layer. In the preferred embodiment, the gas barrier layer is ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), the first and second tie layers are functionalized polyolefin and the first and second polyolefinic resin layers are ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The layers defining the closure liner are preferably simultaneously formed using a co-extrusion process to prevent the gas barrier layer from being exposed to moisture.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-layer liner for use with a container closure, comprising: a gas barrier layer; a first tie layer on an upper surface of said gas barrier layer; a second tie layer on a lower surface of said gas barrier layer; a first polyolefinic resin layer on an upper surface of said first tie layer; and a second polyolefinic resin layer on a lower surface of said second tie layer,  
     
     
         2 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first polyolefinic resin layer is a solid layer.  
     
     
         3 . A multi-layer liner as defied in  claim 2 , wherein said second polyolefinic resin layer is a solid layer.  
     
     
         4 . A multi-layer liner as define in  claim 1 , wherein said second polyolefinic resin layer is a solid layer.  
     
     
         5 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising an outer skin layer on an upper surface of said first polyolefinic resin layer.  
     
     
         6 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising an outer skin layer on a lower surface of said second polyolefinic resin layer.  
     
     
         7 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising a first outer skin layer on an upper surface of said first polyolefinic resin layer, and a second outer skin layer on a lower surface of said second polyolefinic resin layer.  
     
     
         8 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said polyolefinic resin layer is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and admixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said gas barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH).  
     
     
         10 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said gas barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH).  
     
     
         11 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said tie layer is comprised of a functionalized polyolefinic material.  
     
     
         12 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said tie layer is selected from the group consisting of: Plexar, Bynel, Admer, ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene acrylic acid copolymers.  
     
     
         13 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said tie layer is comprised of a functionalized polyolefinic material.  
     
     
         14 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said tie layer is selected from the group consisting of: Plexar, Bynel, Admer, ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene acrylic acid copolymers.  
     
     
         15 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said tie layer is comprised of a functionalized polyolefinic material.  
     
     
         16 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said tie layer is selected from the group consisting of: Plexar, Bynel, Admer, ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene acrylic acid copolymers.  
     
     
         17 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said gas barrier layer is ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), said first tie layer and said second tie layer are Plexar, and said first polyolefinic resin layer and said second polyolefinic resin layer are ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).  
     
     
         18 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said first tie layer and said second tie layer are Plexar PX 107.  
     
     
         19 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said gas barrier layer, said first tie layer, said second tie layer, said first polyolefinic resin layer and said second polyolefinic resin layer are formed simultaneously by a co-extrusion process.  
     
     
         20 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said gas barrier layer, said first tie layer, said second tie layer, said first polyolefinic resin layer and said second polyolefinic resin layer are formed simultaneously by a co-extrusion process.  
     
     
         21 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is foamed.  
     
     
         22 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is foamed.  
     
     
         23 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 21 , and further comprising a first outer skin layer on an upper surface of said first polyolefinic resin layer, and a second outer skin layer on a lower surface of said second polyolefinic resin layer.  
     
     
         24 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 22 , and further comprising a first outer skin layer on an upper surface of said first polyolefinic resin layer, and a second outer skin layer on a lower surface of said second polyolefinic resin layer.  
     
     
         25 . A multi-layer liner, comprising a gas barrier layer, a first polyolefinic resin layer above said gas barrier layer, and a second polyolefinic resin layer below said gas barrier layer.  
     
     
         26 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said first and second polyolefinic resin layers are made from recycled material.  
     
     
         27 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 26 , further including a first outer skin layer on an upper surface of said first polyolefinic layer and a second outer skin layer on a lower surface of said second polyolefinic layer.  
     
     
         28 . A multi-layer liner as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said second polyolefinic layer is a solid layer with an oxygen scavenging agent blended therein.