Port tube and closure composition, structure and assembly for a flowale material container

Abstract

The present invention provides a flowable material container closure assembly having a port tube and a membrane tube. The port tube (I) has a first layer and a second layer, (A) the first layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the first layer a first polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polypropylene copolymers, (2) from about 0 to about 50% by weight of the first layer a second polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the first layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; (4) from about 0% to about 40% of a first thermoplastic elastomer; and (B) the second layer is disposed coaxially within the first layer and is a second thermoplastic elastomer; and the (II) membrane tube is disposed coaxially within the port tube, the membrane tube has an outer layer, a core layer and an inner layer, the outer layer (A) is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 0% to about 60% by weight of the outer layer of a third polyolefin and (2) from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the outer layer of a second component of a third thermoplastic elastomer, the core layer (B) is attached to the outer layer, the core layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 35% to about 100% by weight of the core layer of a fourth thermoplastic elastomer and (2) from about 0% to about 65% by weight of the core layer of a fourth polyolefin; and (C) the inner layer is attached to the core layer on a side opposite of the outer layer, the inner layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 55% by weight of the inner layer a fifth polyolefin, (2) from about 0 to about 50% by weight of the inner layer a sixth polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, polybutadiene and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 60% by weight of the inner layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; (4) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the inner layer of a fifth thermoplastic elastomer.

1 - 40 . (canceled)  
     
     
         41 . A flowable material container closure assembly comprising: 
 (I) a port tube having a first layer and a second layer, (A) the first layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the first layer a first polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polypropylene copolymers, (2) from about 0 to about 50% by weight of the first layer a second polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, polybutadiene and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the first layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; (4) from about 0% to about 40% of a first thermoplastic elastomer; and (B) the second layer is disposed coaxially within the first layer and is a second thermoplastic elastomer; and    (II) a membrane tube disposed coaxially within the port tube.    
     
     
         42 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the membrane tube has multiple layers.  
     
     
         43 . The assembly of  claim 42  wherein the membrane tube has an outer layer, an inner layer, the outer layer is capable of solvent bonding.  
     
     
         44 . The assembly of  claim 43  wherein the membrane tube further comprises a core layer positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer.  
     
     
         45 . The assembly of  claim 43  wherein the outer layer (A) is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 0% to about 60% by weight of the outer layer of a third polyolefin and (2) from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the outer layer of a third thermoplastic elastomer, the core layer (B) is attached to the outer layer, the core layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 35% to about 100% by weight of the core layer of a fourth thermoplastic elastomer and (2) from about 0% to about 65% by weight of the core layer of a fourth polyolefin; and (C) the inner layer is attached to the core layer on a side opposite of the outer layer, the inner layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 55% by weight of the inner layer a fifth polyolefin, (2) from about 0 to about 50% by weight of the inner layer a sixth polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, polybutadiene and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the inner layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; and (4) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the inner layer of a fifth thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         46 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the polyamide is selected from a group consisting of: aliphatic polyamides re-sulting from the condensation reaction of di-amines having a carbon number within a range of 2-13, aliphatic polyamides resulting from a condensation reaction of di-acids having a carbon number within a range of 2-13, polyamides resulting from the condensation reaction of dimer fatty acids, and amide containing copolymers.  
     
     
         47 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the polyamide is a dimer fatty acid polyamide.  
     
     
         48 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the first polyolefin is a propylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s having from 2-17 carbons.  
     
     
         49 . The assembly of  claim 48  wherein the first polyolefin is a propylene and ethylene copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 1% to about 8% by weight of the first polyolefin.  
     
     
         50 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the second polyolefin is an ethylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s.  
     
     
         51 . The assembly of  claim 50  wherein the second polyolefin is an ethylene and α-olefin copolymer wherein the α-olefin has from 4 to 8 carbons.  
     
     
         52 . The assembly of  claim 51  wherein the ethylene and α-olefin copolymer is obtained using a single-site catalyst.  
     
     
         53 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a first styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         54 . The assembly of  claim 53  wherein the first styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group of styrene and hydrocarbon diblock copolymers, styrene and hydrocarbon triblock copolymers, styrene and hydrocarbon star block copolymers and blends of the same.  
     
     
         55 . The assembly of  claim 54  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is a first styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         56 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is functionalized with a group selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, esters of carboxylic acids, anhydrides of carboxylic acids, epoxides, and carbon monoxide.  
     
     
         57 . The assembly of  claim 56  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is maleic anhydride functionalized.  
     
     
         58 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a second styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         59 . The assembly of  claim 58  wherein the second styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group if polymer structures with diblock copolymers, triblock, star block copolymers, and blends of the same.  
     
     
         60 . The assembly of  claim 59  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is a second styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         61 . The assembly of  claim 60  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is a blend of a styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene diblock copolymer and a a styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene triblock copolymer.  
     
     
         62 . A flowable material container closure assembly comprising: 
 (I) a port tube:    (II) a membrane tube disposed coaxially within the port tube, the membrane tube has an outer layer, a core layer and an inner layer, (A) the outer layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 0% to about 60% by weight of the outer layer of a first polyolefin and (2) from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the outer layer of a first thermoplastic elastomer, (B) the core layer is attached to the outer layer, the core layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 35% to about 100% by weight of the core layer of a second thermoplastic elastomer and (2) from about 0% to about 65% by weight of the core layer of a second polyolefin; and (C) the inner layer is attached to the core layer on a side opposite of the outer layer, the inner layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 55% by weight of the inner layer a third polyolefin, (2) from about 0 to about 50% by weight of the inner layer a fourth polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the inner layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; and (4) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the inner layer of a third thermoplastic elastomer.    
     
     
         63 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the port tube has a first layer and a second layer coaxially disposed within the first layer, the second layer is capable of solvent bonding to the outer layer of the membrane tube.  
     
     
         64 . The assembly of  claim 63  wherein (A) the first layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the first layer a fifth polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polypropylene copolymers, (2) from about 0 to about 50% by weight of the first layer a sixth polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, polybutadiene and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the first layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; (4) from about 0% to about 40% of a fourth thermoplastic elastomer; and (B) the second layer is a fifth thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         65 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the first polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s having from 2-17 carbons, ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s having from 2-17 carbons.  
     
     
         66 . The assembly of  claim 65  wherein the first polyolefin is a propylene and ethylene copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 1% to about 8% by weight of the first polyolefin.  
     
     
         67 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the second polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s having from 2-17 carbons, ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s having from 2-17 carbons.  
     
     
         68 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the third polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s having from 2-17 carbons, ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s having from 2-17 carbons.  
     
     
         69 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the fourth polyolefin is an ethylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefin s.  
     
     
         70 . The assembly of  claim 69  wherein the ethylene and α-olefin copolymer is obtained using a single-site catalyst.  
     
     
         71 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a first styrene and hydrocarbon copolymers.  
     
     
         72 . The assembly of  claim 71  wherein the first styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group consisting of polymer structures of diblock, triblock, star block and blends of the same.  
     
     
         73 . The assembly of  claim 72  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is a first styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         74 . The assembly of  claim 73  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is a blend of a styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene diblock copolymer and a a styrene-ethylene-butenestyrene triblock copolymer.  
     
     
         75 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a second styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         76 . The assembly of claim  14  wherein the second styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group of polymer structures consisting of diblock, triblock and star block copolymers.  
     
     
         77 . The assembly of  claim 76  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is a second styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         78 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the third thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a third styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         79 . The assembly of  claim 78  wherein the third styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group of polymer structures consisting of diblock, triblock and star block.  
     
     
         80 . The assembly of  claim 79  wherein the third thermoplastic elastomer is a third styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         81 . The assembly of  claim 62  wherein the third thermoplastic elastomer is functionalized with a group selected from the group consisting of carboxlic acid, esters of carboxylic acids, anhydrides of carboxylic acids, epoxides, and carbon monoxide.  
     
     
         82 . The assembly of  claim 81  wherein the third thermoplastic elastomer is maleic anhydride functionalized.  
     
     
         83 . A flowable material container closure assembly comprising: 
 (I) a port tube having a first layer and a second layer, (A) the first layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the first layer a first polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polypropylene copolymers, (2) from about 0% to about 50% by weight of the first layer a second polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the first layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; (4) from about 0% to about 40% of a first thermoplastic elastomer; and (B) the second layer is disposed coaxially within the first layer and is a second thermoplastic elastomer; and    (II) a membrane tube disposed coaxially within the port tube, the membrane tube has an outer layer, a core layer and an inner layer, the outer layer (A) is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 0% to about 60% by weight of the outer layer of a third polyolefin and (2) from about 40% to about 100% by weight of the outer layer of a second component of a third thermoplastic elastomer, the core layer (B) is attached to the outer layer, the core layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 35% to about 100% by weight of the core layer of a fourth thermoplastic elastomer and (2) from about 0% to about 65% by weight of the core layer of a fourth polyolefin; and (C) the inner layer is attached to the core layer on a side opposite of the outer layer, the inner layer is a polymer blend of: (1) from about 25% to about 55% Uy weight of the inner layer a fifth polyolefin, (2) from about 0% to about 50% by weight of the inner layer a sixth polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene copolymers, ultra-low density polyethylene, polybutene, polybutadiene and butene ethylene copolymers; (3) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the inner layer a radio frequency susceptible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyimides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyureas, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with a vinyl acetate comonomer content from 12%-50% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers with methyl acrylate comonomer content from 12%-40% by weight of the copolymer, ethylene vinyl alcohol with vinyl alcohol comonomer content from 12%-70% by mole percent of the copolymer; (4) from about 0% to about 40% by weight of the inner layer of a fifth thermoplastic elastomer.    
     
     
         84 . The assembly of  claim 83  wherein the polyamide is selected from a group consisting of: aliphatic polyamides re-sulting from the condensation reaction of di-amines having a carbon number within a range of 2-13, aliphatic polyamides resulting from a condensation reaction of di-acids having a carbon number within a range of 2-13, polyamides resulting from the condensation reaction of dimer fatty acids, and amide containing copolymers.  
     
     
         85 . The assembly of  claim 84  wherein the polyamide is a dimer fatty acid polyamide.  
     
     
         86 . The assembly of  claim 83  wherein the first polyolefin is a propylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefins having from 2-17 carbons.  
     
     
         87 . The assembly of  claim 86  wherein the first polyolefin is a propylene and ethylene copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 1% to about 8% by weight of the first polyolefin.  
     
     
         88 . The assembly of claim  5  wherein the second polyolefin is an ethylene copolymerized with a monomer selected from the group consisting of α-olefins.  
     
     
         89 . The assembly of  claim 88  wherein the second polyolefin is an ethylene and α-olefin copolymer.  
     
     
         90 . The assembly of  claim 89  wherein the ethylene and α-olefin copolymer is obtained using a single-site catalyst.  
     
     
         91 . The assembly of  claim 89  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a first styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         92 . The assembly of  claim 91  wherein the first styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group of polymer structures consisting of diblock, triblock, and star block.  
     
     
         93 . The assembly of  claim 92  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is a first styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         94 . The assembly of  claim 92  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is functionalized with a group selected from the group consisting of carboxlic acid, esters of carboxylic acids, anhydrides of carboxylic acids, epoxides, and carbon monoxide.  
     
     
         95 . The assembly of  claim 94  wherein the first thermoplastic elastomer is maleic anhydride functionalized.  
     
     
         96 . The assembly of  claim 92  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a second styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         97 . The assembly of  claim 96  wherein the second styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group of polymer structures consisting of diblock, triblock, and star block.  
     
     
         98 . The assembly of  claim 97  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is a second styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         99 . The assembly of  claim 98  wherein the second thermoplastic elastomer is a styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene diblock copolymer and a styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene triblock copolymer.  
     
     
         100 . The assembly of  claim 97  wherein the third thermoplastic elastomer is a second styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         101 . The assembly of  claim 100  wherein the third thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group of polymer structures consisting of diblock, triblock, and star block.  
     
     
         102 . The assembly of  claim 101  wherein the third thermoplastic elastomer is a blend of a styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene diblock copolymer and a a styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene triblock copolymer.  
     
     
         103 . The assembly of  claim 101  wherein the fourth thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a fourth styrene and hydrocarbon copolymers.  
     
     
         104 . The assembly of  claim 103  wherein the fourth styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group of polymer structures consisting of diblock, triblock, and star block copolymers.  
     
     
         105 . The assembly of  claim 104  wherein the fourth thermoplastic elastomer is a fourth styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         106 . The assembly of  claim 104  wherein the fifth thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a fifth styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer.  
     
     
         107 . The assembly of  claim 106  wherein the fifth styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer is selected from the group of polymer structures consisting of diblock, triblock, and star block copolymers.  
     
     
         108 . The assembly of  claim 107  wherein the fifth thermoplastic elastomer is a fifth styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymer.  
     
     
         109 . The assembly of  claim 107  wherein the fifth thermoplastic elastomer is functionalized with a group selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, esters of carboxylic acids, anhydrides of carboxylic acids, epoxides, and carbon monoxide.  
     
     
         110 . The assembly of  claim 109  wherein the fifth thermoplastic elastomer is maleic anhydride functionalized.  
     
     
         111 . The assembly of  claim 107  wherein the first polyolefin, the third polyolefin, the fourth polyolefin and the fifth polyolefin are propylene copolymerized with ethylene, the ethylene being from about 1% to about 8% by weight of the copolymer, and the second polyolefin and the sixth polyolefin are ethylene and α-olefin copolymers wherein the α-olefin has from 4 to 8 carbons.