Foamed-wall container with foamed and unfoamed regions

Abstract

A container comprises a micro cellular foamed polymer having foamed and unfoamed regions, wherein the container has one of a silvery appearance and a white appearance without the use of a colorant.

1 . A blow molded plastic container comprising a hollow body formed from a micro cellular foamed polymer formed without a chemical blowing agent, cells of the micro cellular foamed polymer containing a non-reactive gas therein, wherein said hollow body includes foamed and unfoamed regions. 
     
     
         2 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow body has a silvery appearance without the use of a colorant. 
     
     
         3 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 2 , wherein the silver color of the container is Pantone Color Formula Guide number 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 877, 8001, 8400, or 8420. 
     
     
         4 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 3 , wherein the silver color of the container is Pantone Color Formula Guide number 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, or 425. 
     
     
         5 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow body has a white appearance without the use of a colorant. 
     
     
         6 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises one or more of a polyester, polypropylene, acrylonitrile acid ester, vinyl chloride, polyolefin, polyamide, or a derivative or copolymer thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         8 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-reactive gas comprises one or more of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or argon. 
     
     
         9 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-reactive gas comprises nitrogen. 
     
     
         10 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the foamed and unfoamed regions include an unfoamed region disposed between a pair of foamed regions. 
     
     
         11 . The blow molded plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the foamed and unfoamed regions include a foamed region disposed between a pair of unfoamed regions. 
     
     
         12 . A preform suitable for blow molding a plastic container comprising a hollow body formed from a micro cellular foamed polymer formed without a chemical blowing agent, cells of the micro cellular foamed polymer containing a non-reactive gas therein, wherein said hollow body includes foamed and unfoamed regions. 
     
     
         13 . The preform of  claim 11 , wherein the plastic container formed from the preform has a silvery appearance without the use of a colorant. 
     
     
         14 . The preform of  claim 11 , wherein the plastic container formed from the preform has a white appearance without the use of a colorant. 
     
     
         15 . The preform of  claim 11 , wherein the preform has a silvery appearance without the use of a colorant. 
     
     
         16 . The preform of  claim 11 , wherein the preform has a white appearance without the use of a colorant. 
     
     
         17 . The preform of  claim 11 , wherein the foamed and unfoamed regions include an unfoamed region disposed between foamed regions. 
     
     
         18 . The preform of  claim 11 , wherein the foamed and unfoamed regions include a foamed region disposed between a pair of unfoamed regions. 
     
     
         19 . An overmolded plastic container comprising a hollow body formed from an unfoamed polymer abutting a micro cellular foamed polymer formed without a chemical blowing agent, cells of the micro cellular foamed polymer containing a non-reactive gas therein, wherein said hollow body includes foamed and unfoamed regions. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the unfoamed polymer is colored.