Reusable bottle with defined scuffing band

Abstract

This disclosure provides reusable packaging materials, methods and designs that provide improved life cycles to the package. In one aspect, there is provided an effective and economical means for improved scuff resistance on a package, by provided the refillable container with a raised wear band around the largest circumference of the container. The wear band focuses the wear such that the abrasion pattern develops in a controlled and aesthetically benign manner.

1 . A refillable polyester container comprising a polyester composition, wherein the container comprises a raised wear band around the largest circumference of the container, the outer diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer diameter of the container above and below the wear band. 
     
     
         2 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , wherein the wear band is continuous. 
     
     
         3 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , wherein the wear band is non-continuous or intermittent. 
     
     
         4 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 3 , wherein the wear band comprises one type of geometric shape, each individual shape having the same or different sizes or relative proportions, or the wear band comprises more than one type of geometric shape, with each type having the same or different sizes or relative proportions, and wherein the wear band comprises one type or more than one type of geometric shape, each individual shape selected from triangles, rectangles, diamonds, regular or irregular polygons having any desired number of sides less than about 12, or irregular shapes, wherein the shapes do not interlock on a conveyor system. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , wherein the wear band substantially limits wear of the container to the peripheral area of the wear band. 
     
     
         7 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second raised wear band around the second largest circumference of the container. 
     
     
         8 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , wherein the wear band has a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , wherein the base of the container is a petaloid or a champagne base. 
     
     
         10 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a screw threaded closure and an injection molded threaded neck finish for receiving a screw threaded closure. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyester composition comprises a homopolymer or copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is a monolayer or multilayer container and comprises a polyester composition and one or more polymers selected from polyamide, polycarbonate, acrylic/imide, amorphous nylon, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polystyrene, crystallizable nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         15 . A refillable polyester container according to  claim 14 , wherein the polyester composition comprises one or more polymers selected from homopolymers, copolymers or blends of polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); polypropylene terephthalate (PPT); polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF); and cyclohexane dimethanol/PET copolymer. 
     
     
         16 . A method for reducing scuffing of a refillable polyester container, wherein the refillable polyester container comprises a polyester composition, the method comprising providing a raised wear band around the largest circumference of the container, the outer diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer diameter of the container above and below the wear band. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the wear band is continuous. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the wear band is non-continuous or intermittent. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the wear band substantially limits wear of the container to the peripheral area of the wear band. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the polyester container further comprises a second raised wear band around the second largest circumference of the container. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the wear band has a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the base of the container is a petaloid or a champagne base. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the container further comprises a screw threaded closure and an injection molded threaded neck finish for receiving a screw threaded closure. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the polyester composition comprises a homopolymer or copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the container is a monolayer or multilayer container and comprises a polyester composition and one or more polymers selected from polyamide, polycarbonate, acrylic/imide, amorphous nylon, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polystyrene, crystallizable nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the polyester composition comprises one or more polymers selected from homopolymers, copolymers or blends of polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); polypropylene terephthalate (PPT); polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF); and cyclohexane dimethanol/PET copolymer. 
     
     
         29 . A packaged beverage, wherein the beverage is packaged in a refillable polyester container comprising a polyester composition, wherein the container comprises a raised wear band around the largest circumference of the container, the outer diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer diameter of the container above and below the wear band. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)