Ultraviolet-Blocking Recyclable Plastic Container

Abstract

A beverage container includes a recyclable, multilayered, polymer bottle covered by an ultraviolet-absorbent, biodegradable and removable overlay. The container is thus both suitable for light sensitive products, such as beer, and ecologically sound in design for recycling. In one embodiment the bottle is a polyethylene terephthalate bottle covered by a biodegradable plastic, upon which has been printed various materials desired by the producer or consumer. The biodegradable plastic is removed by the consumer before disposal to facilitate the recycling process.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a foundation vessel having a base sized to support the container against a substantially flat horizontal surface and surrounded by a sidewall extending upwardly along an axis and terminating at a lip to define a container volume;   an ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film conforming substantially to the upwardly extending sidewalls of the foundation vessel removably attached thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the foundation vessel is a recyclable plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the foundation vessel is multilayered. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film includes an ultraviolet blocking dye. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film is biodegradable. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film is a heat shrinkable film. 
     
     
         7 . The plastic bottle of  claim 1  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film is perforated to promote a tearing of the film for complete removal by a consumer. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a cap which encloses an opening of the container and defined by a radial circumference of the lip and wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film extends partially over the cap. 
     
     
         9 . A beer bottle comprising:
 a base sized to support the beer bottle against a substantially flat horizontal surface;   a body defined by sidewalls extending upwardly from the base along an axis;   a lip defined by an extreme upper surface of the body and defining the beer bottle volume; and   an ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film conforming substantially to the body of the beer bottle removably attached thereto.   
     
     
         10 . The beer bottle of  claim 9  wherein the base, body, and lip of the bottle are a recyclable plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . The beer bottle of  claim 9  wherein the base, body, and lip of the beer bottle are multilayered. 
     
     
         12 . The beer bottle of  claim 9  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film is biodegradable. 
     
     
         13 . The beer bottle of  claim 9  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film includes an ultraviolet blocking dye. 
     
     
         14 . The beer bottle of  claim 9  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film is polyactic acid/polylactide (PLA). 
     
     
         15 . The beer bottle of  claim 9  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film is polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), 
     
     
         16 . The beer bottle of  claim 9  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film has printed material on either or both sides. 
     
     
         17 . A method of producing a plastic beverage bottle that is ultraviolet-absorbent and recyclable comprising the steps of:
 constructing a multi-layered gas impermeable plastic bottle having a base sized to support the bottle against a substantially flat horizontal surface and a body defined by sidewalls extending upwardly from the base along an axis; and   shrink-wrapping an ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film conforming substantially to the body of the bottle removably attached thereto.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the bottle is a recyclable plastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film is biodegradable. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the ultraviolet blocking thermoplastic film includes an ultraviolet blocking dye