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EP-4735344-A1 - CAP WITH BARRIER COMPOSITION

EP4735344A1EP 4735344 A1EP4735344 A1EP 4735344A1EP-4735344-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an article. In an embodiment the article is a cap and the cap includes a top portion and an annular sidewall extending from the top portion. The sidewall is composed of a barrier composition. The barrier composition includes (i) a low density polyethylene (LORE), and (ii) a nucleator. The sidewall has a water vapor transmission rate from 0.3 gm-mil/100 in 2 /24 hr to less than or equal to 0.88 gm-mil/100 in 2 /24 hr.

Inventors

  • SINGH, ANURIMA
  • COLOMBO, Veronica
  • ANSARI, Mubashir, Qamar
  • ZENG, Yongchao
  • FAN, JINGWEI
  • KARJALA, TERESA, P.

Assignees

  • DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240621

Claims (10)

  1. 1. A cap comprising: a top portion; and an annular sidewall extending from the top portion, the sidewall composed of a barrier composition comprising (i) a low density polyethylene (LDPE), and (ii) a nucleator; and the sidewall has a water vapor transmission rate from 0.3 gm-mil/100 in 2 /24 hr to less than or equal to 0.88 gm-mil/100 in 2 /24 hr.
  2. 2. The cap of claim 1 wherein the LDPE has a property selected from the group consisting of (i) a density from 0.910 g/cc to 0.930 g/cc, (ii) a melt index from 15 g/10 min to 30 g/10 min, (iii) M w (abs) from 50,000 g/mol to 220,000 g/mol, (iv) CDFIR from 0.010 to less than 0.060, (v) a gpcBR value from 0.50 to 3.00, (vi) a M w (cc)/M n (cc) from 2.50 to less than 9.00, and (vii) combinations thereof.
  3. 3. The cap of any of claims 1-2 wherein the nucleator is selected from the group consisting of a metal carboxylate, a metal aromatic carboxylate, a hexahydrophthalic acid metal salt, a stearate, an organic phosphate, a sorbitol, a bisamide, and combinations thereof.
  4. 4. The cap of any of claims 1-3 wherein the barrier composition further comprises a second ethylene-based polymer different than the LDPE.
  5. 5. The cap of any of claims 1-4 wherein the barrier composition comprises silica.
  6. 6. The cap of any of claims 1-5 comprising from 94 wt% to 99 wt% of the LDPE; from 100 ppm to 2000 ppm of the nucleating agent that is 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; from 1 wt% to 5 wt% of the second ethylene-based polymer that is a high density polyethylene; from 75 ppm to 1500 ppm silica.
  7. 7. The cap of any of claims 1-6 wherein the top portion and the sidewall form an integral piece composed solely of the barrier composition.
  8. 8. The cap of any of claims 1-7 wherein the sidewall is a monolayer structure and has a thickness for 0.1 mm to 20 mm.
  9. 9. The cap of any of claims 1-8 wherein the cap comprises an annular inner wall attached to, and extending from, an interior surface of the top portion; and the annular inner wall has a closed distal end and defines a closed chamber.
  10. 10. The cap of claim 9 wherein an ingredient is present in the closed chamber.

Description

CAP WITH BARRIER COMPOSITION BACKGROUND [0001] Plastic closures, plungers and caps for medical, nutraceuticals and probiotic containers and/or bottles can be made by injection molding. Known are polypropylene and polyethylene (PE) for use in plastic caps for medical bottles. Low density polyethylene ("LDPE") in particular meets the requirements of suitable melt strength, shear thinning, low extractables (hexane, xylene, others) and good processability for plastic bottle cap and injection molded part production. However, LDPE exhibits a high water vapor transmission rate which is detrimental for medical applications. [0002] Thus, the art recognizes the need for LDPE with increased barrier properties, and a low water vapor transmission rate, in particular. Specifically, a need exists for LDPE with low water vapor transmission rate acceptable for medical applications, and acceptable for caps for medical bottles and/or caps for medical ampoules in particular. SUMMARY [0003] The present disclosure provides an article. In an embodiment the article is a cap and the cap includes a top portion and an annular sidewall extending from the top portion. The sidewall is composed of a barrier composition. The barrier composition includes (i) a low density polyethylene (LDPE), and (ii) a nucleator. The sidewall has a water vapor transmission rate from 0.3 gm-mil/100 in2/24 hr to less than or equal to 0.88 gm-mil/100 in2/24 hr. DEFINITIONS [0004] Any reference to the Periodic Table of Elements is that as published by CRC Press, Inc., 1990-1991. Reference to a group of elements in this table is by the new notation for numbering groups. [0005] For purposes of United States patent practice, the contents of any referenced patent, patent application or publication are incorporated by reference in their entirety (or its equivalent U.S. version is so incorporated by reference) especially with respect to the disclosure of definitions (to the extent not inconsistent with any definitions specifically provided in this disclosure). [0006] The numerical ranges disclosed herein include all values from, and including, the lower and upper value. For ranges containing explicit values (e.g., from 1 or 2, or 3 to 5, or 6, or 7), any subrange between any two explicit values is included (e.g., the range 1-7 above includes subranges of from 1 to 2; from 2 to 6; from 5 to 7; from 3 to 7; from 5 to 6; etc.). [0007] Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percents are based on weight and all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure. [0008] The terms "blend" or "polymer blend," as used, refers to a mixture of two or more polymers. A blend may or may not be miscible (not phase separated at molecular level). A blend may or may not be phase separated. A blend may or may not contain one or more domain configurations, as determined from transmission electron spectroscopy, light scattering, x-ray scattering, and other methods known in the art. The blend may be affected by physically mixing two or more polymers on the macro level (for example, melt blending resins or compounding), or the micro level (for example, simultaneous forming within the same reactor). [0009] The term "composition" refers to a mixture of materials which comprise the composition, as well as reaction products and decomposition products formed from the materials of the composition. [0010] The terms "comprising," "including," "having" and their derivatives, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. In order to avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term "comprising" may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term "consisting essentially of" excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step, or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term "consisting of" excludes any component, step, or procedure not specifically delineated or listed. The term "or," unless stated otherwise, refers to the listed members individually as well as in any combination. Use of the singular includes use of the plural and vice versa. [0011] An "ethylene-based polymer" is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent (wt%) polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer. Ethylene-based polymer includes ethylene homopolymer, and ethylene copolymer (meaning units derived from ethylene and one or more comonomers). The terms "ethylene-based polymer" and "polyethylene" may be used interchangeably. [0012] The term "ethylene monomer," or "ethylene," as used herein, refers to a chemical unit having two carbon atoms connected with a double bond, and each carbon atom is bonded to