阅读说明：本技术 由再循环材料制成的薄壁容器 (Thin-walled container made of recycled material ) 是由 珍-巴普蒂斯特·谭彻特 于 2020-04-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于填充液体参考体积的薄壁容器,其由聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)制成,包含颈部和壁,其中：所述PET包含至少50重量％的通过机械途径再循环的PET(rPET),以及所述容器呈现至少以下特征：特征a)所述壁具有平均厚度为50μm至150μm的薄部分。(A thin-walled container for filling a liquid reference volume, made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), comprising a neck and a wall, wherein: the PET comprises at least 50% by weight of PET recycled by mechanical means (rpet), and the container exhibits at least the following characteristics: feature a) the wall has a thin portion with an average thickness of 50 to 150 μm.)

1. A thin-walled container for filling a liquid reference volume, the container being made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), comprising a neck and a wall, wherein:

-the PET comprises at least 50% by weight of PET recycled by mechanical means (rpet), and

-the container exhibits at least the following features:

feature a) the wall has a thin portion with an average thickness of 50 to 150 μm.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the average thickness is 50 μ ι η to 75 μ ι η or 75 μ ι η to 100 μ ι η or 100 μ ι η to 125 μ ι η or 125 μ ι η to 150 μ ι η.

3. The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container further exhibits the following features:

feature b) the container is a blow molded container and the in-plane stretch ratio is from 12.0 to 27.0.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the in-plane stretch ratio is from 15.0 to 20.0.

5. The container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container further exhibits the following features:

characteristic c) the ratio of the container weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is:

-5.27 to 9.33g/L, or

-4.0g/L to less than 5.27g/L, with the proviso that the liquid reference volume is at least 10.0L, or

-from more than 9.33g/L to 20.0g/L, with the proviso that the liquid reference volume is at most 2.0L.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the ratio of the container weight to the liquid reference volume is

-5.80g/L to 7.00g/L, or

-4.0g/L to less than 5.00g/L, with the proviso that the liquid reference volume is at least 12.0L, or

-from more than 9.33 to 15.0g/L, with the proviso that the liquid reference volume is from 0.5 to 2.0L, or

-from more than 15.0g/L to 20.0g/L, with the proviso that the liquid reference volume is from 0.1L to less than 0.5L.

7. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PET comprises at least 80% by weight recycled PET (rPET).

8. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PET consists essentially of the recycled PET (rpet).

9. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PET (rPET) recycled by mechanical means has been recycled by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

10. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is an injection blow molded container.

11. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall comprises a bottom portion, a side portion, and a shoulder portion, wherein the thin portion is at least the side portion.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the side portions comprise linear portions.

13. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side portion is free of ridges, edges, grooves, and/or ribs.

14. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PET is substantially free of colorants.

15. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container is filled with a transparent liquid.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the transparent liquid is water.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a 32g PET preform used to form a 5L container. The dimension units are mm.

Fig. 2 shows a 32g pet 5L container formed from the preform of fig. 1. The dimension units are mm.

FIG. 3 shows a 32g PET preform used to form a 5L container. The dimension units are mm.

Fig. 4 shows a 32g PET 5L container formed from the preform of fig. 3. The dimension units are mm.

Detailed Description

The container is a thin-walled container made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) comprising a neck and a wall. The container may be filled with a liquid. In other words, the container may contain a liquid. Examples of containers include bottles having a neck, a sidewall, and a bottom. Other shapes or forms of the container are also contemplated.

The liquid is typically present in a reference volume, filling the container, except for an optional headspace. Liquid-filled containers are typically sealed, typically with a closure. The closure may be any type of closure, such as a cap or a flexible cover. The closure may be, for example, a screw cap or a snap cap. The container may be opened by removing the closure or by at least partially piercing the closure.

Containers presenting a neck and a wall are known. The container is a thin-walled container having a body and a neck as an opening. The body is formed by walls. The wall generally includes a bottom portion, a side portion, and a shoulder portion. The opening may be a neck portion disposed on a shoulder portion opposite the base portion. In order to allow deformation and to allow saving of plastic, the body or the wall or parts thereof have a low average thickness over at least a part, preferably at least a part of the length or surface of the body at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, preferably the entire body. The base and/or shoulder may exhibit a higher average thickness that is 100% higher than the average thickness of the remainder of the body. In one embodiment, the wall comprises a bottom portion, a side portion and a shoulder portion, wherein the thin portion is at least the side portion.

The container exhibits at least feature a). In one embodiment, the container exhibits features a) and b). In one embodiment, the container exhibits features a) and c). In one embodiment, the container exhibits features a) and b) and c).

According to feature a), the average thickness of the walls is from 50 μm to 150 μm, for example from 50 μm to 75 μm or from 75 μm to 100 μm or from 100 μm to 125 μm or from 125 μm to 150 μm.

The average thickness of the body may be, for example, 50 μm to 150 μm, such as 50 μm to 75 μm or 75 μm to 100 μm or 100 μm to 125 μm or 125 μm to 150 μm.

The side portions may comprise straight portions, that is to say the side portions assume a cylindrical shape, and preferably a cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the side portions may be slightly convex. In one embodiment, the side portion presents a grip portion as a recess, said grip portion having a concave part. The thickness of the side portions is low and allows deformation. For example, the thickness of the side portion may be 50 μm to 150 μm, such as 50 μm to 75 μm or 75 μm to 100 μm or 100 μm to 125 μm or 125 μm to 150 μm. In one embodiment, the side portion is free of ridges, edges, grooves or ribs. In one embodiment, the side portion comprises at least one ridge, edge, groove and/or rib.

The bottom portion may take on a shape that allows the container to stand, e.g. substantially flat, optionally ribbed or petaloid. Such shapes are known for bottles. In one embodiment, the bottom portion exhibits a hemispherical shape. The thickness of the bottom portion may be, for example, 105 μm to 275 μm, preferably 125 μm to 225 μm, such as, for example, 125 μm to 150 μm or 150 μm to 175 μm or 175 μm to 200 μm or 200 μm to 225 μm. In one embodiment, the bottom portion is free of ridges, edges, grooves, or ribs. In one embodiment, the bottom portion comprises at least one ridge, edge, groove and/or rib.

The shoulder portion is generally the middle portion between the neck and the side portions. In one embodiment, the shoulder portion exhibits a hemispherical shape. The thickness of the shoulder portion may be, for example, 105 μm to 275 μm, preferably 125 μm to 225 μm, such as, for example, 125 μm to 150 μm or 150 μm to 175 μm or 175 μm to 200 μm or 200 μm to 225 μm. In one embodiment, the shoulder portion is free of ridges, edges, grooves, or ribs. In one embodiment, the shoulder portion comprises at least one ridge, edge, groove, and/or rib.

Features such as ridges, edges, grooves and/or ribs that may be present on the side walls, bottom and/or shoulders of the container may change the visual impression provided by the container, for example by creating some reflections that may change the transparent impression. Unwanted coloration can be perceived to a high degree in portions without such features. Thus, it is more useful and challenging to reduce unwanted coloration in portions without ridges, edges, grooves, and/or ribs.

In one embodiment, the base portion and the shoulder portion present similar shapes, and preferably, the base portion and the shoulder portion present the same hemispherical shape. Thus, when considering that the side portions are cylindrical, the container is symmetrical (except for the neck portion) and can similarly operate in an upright or inverted position. Containers having such hemispherical and straight or slightly convex side portions are particularly visually appealing to consumers and/or are otherwise visually distinctive. Furthermore, it has been found that these features allow for some manufacturing and/or use advantages, such as easier manufacturing process, because in the blow molding process, they more closely approximate the previous natural shape when blown and are less constrained when conforming to the mold.

As mentioned, the container may be free of any indicia, such as tape (banderole) or laminate adhered to the side wall. These may at least partially cover unwanted coloration, but constitute more packaging elements, which are expensive and/or contribute to complicating recycling and/or reduce the purity of the recycled stream.

Liquid, method for producing the same and use thereof

The liquid is typically contained or filled in a container. Which is typically released from the container through the neck. Which is preferably a drinkable, potable liquid. Examples of such liquids include water and beverages.

Examples of water include tap water, purified and/or sterile water, such as distilled water, well water, spring water, and mineral water. The water may be supplemented with additives such as salts, minerals, electrolytes. The water may be supplemented with functional additives such as vitamins. The water may be acidic, neutral or alkaline water. The water may be still water or carbonated water, such as carbonated water, e.g., natural carbonated water, artificial carbonated water, or partially natural carbonated water.

Examples of beverages include alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages; flavoring water; a water beverage; optionally flavoured milk, for example milk of animal origin, such as cow's milk, or vegetable substitutes, such as soy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, rice milk, coconut milk; fermented beverages, such as drinking yoghurt, or plant substitutes, kefir, kombucha; brewing the beverage; ready-to-drink coffee; instantly drinking tea; a ready-to-drink creamer; fruit juice or fruit juice beverages (nectar); carbonated soft drinks such as cola or soda water. The non-alcoholic beverage may for example comprise sugar, sweeteners and/or fruits or vegetables or extracts thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid is a transparent liquid. As described above, examples of the transparent liquid include water.

Material

The container is made of PET plastic material. The material and structural characteristics of the container, such as thickness and shape, may be such that there is at least a deformable flexible member when the container is empty. Features a), b), c) provide such a deformable flexible member.

PET and rPET are available, for example, in various grades or compositions, such as packaging grades or compositions, e.g., bottle grades or compositions. PET is particularly suitable for water. Water is very sensitive to taste changes and PET is found not to change the taste of water for a storage time of at least 3 months, preferably at least 6 months, preferably at least 12 months, preferably at least 24 months.

rPET is known and commercially available. In one embodiment, it has been recycled by post-consumer (PC) recycling, where the container is recycled from the waste stream after use by the consumer and disposal by the user or consumer. Recycling typically involves sorting the waste stream to recover a stream of the selected material, and treating the stream by steps such as refining, washing, and/or grinding. For example, PET can be sorted from a waste stream and then processed according to various routes. The mechanical route involves refining, washing and/or grinding to recover the rPET polymer. The recycled rPET polymer may be solid state polymerized to re-increase its molecular weight, for example to re-increase its Intrinsic Viscosity (IV). The unwanted coloration of post-consumer rPET is significantly higher than that obtained from post-industrial recycling where clean articles or parts of articles are recycled from the production site. The latter is a high purity stream, with less impurity from other materials, and some coloration. Therefore, reducing unwanted coloration is more useful and challenging for post-consumer rPET.

PET may for example be 100% recycled PET (rPET), or virgin PET comprising rPET in an amount of R wt% and in an amount of 100-R wt%, wherein R is at least 50% or at least 60% or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%.

The PET material of the container comprises at least 50% by weight of PET (rpet) recycled by mechanical means. The remainder of the PET may be virgin PET made from monomers, and or PET recycled by chemical or microbial means. For example, the PET material comprises at least 50 wt%, preferably at least 80 wt% rPET and at most 50 wt%, preferably at most 20 wt% virgin PET and/or PET recycled by chemical or microbial means.

In one embodiment, the PET is a mixture of rPET and virgin PET. The mixture may be implemented as multiple layers, or by mixing pellets of rPET and virgin PET prior to or while melting to form a container or preform, or by mixing and melting rPET and virgin PET to form pellets. Such mixtures or mixing procedures are known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the PET consists essentially of recycled PET. In other words, the container is 100 wt.% rPET.

As mentioned, PET (virgin PET or rPET) is recyclable, e.g. by mechanical, chemical and/or microbial pathways. The chemical route involves depolymerization to recover the monomer. The monomer can be repolymerized to obtain fresh polymer that is recycled. For example, PET or rPET may be depolymerized by hydrolysis, methanolysis, glycosyl lysis, ammonolysis or aminolysis to obtain recycled terephthalic acid or its diesters and recycled monoethylene glycol. The recycled terephthalic acid or diester and/or recycled monoethylene glycol may be repolymerized with optional addition of some virgin terephthalic acid or diester and/or monoethylene glycol. Similarly, the microbial pathway involves treating a material stream by microorganisms to obtain depolymerized oligomers or monomers, and then repolymerizing the monomers or oligomers, optionally with the addition of some native monomers or oligomers.

PET may contain some additives known to those skilled in the art such as stabilizers, lubricants, etc. … in one embodiment, PET contains a colorant such as a pigment or optical modifier. In one embodiment, the PET is substantially free of colorants.

The container may be formed from PET by a moulding process, such as a blow moulding process, for example an extrusion blow moulding process or an injection blow moulding process, for example an injection stretch blow moulding process. The injection (stretch) blow molding process is particularly suitable for PET. It involves forming a PET preform by injection, heating the preform, placing the preform in a mold, and blowing a gas (typically air) into the heated preform to blow and conform the material in the mold. In blow molding, PET stretches, thins and gains resistance through strain hardening and/or strain induced crystallization phenomena. Such processes are well known. Equipment and virgin or recycled materials are commercially available.

The preform may be a single layer preform to obtain a single layer container. For example, the preform is a monolayer PET. For example, the container may be a monolayer PET container. The preform may be a multilayer preform to obtain a multilayer container. For example, the preform may have a native PET layer and an rPET layer, preferably as the outer at least partial layer. For example, the container may have a virgin PET layer and an rPET layer, preferably as outer at least partial layers.

The container typically has a reference volume, which is defined as the maximum volume of the container when it is not deformed.

The vessel reference volume may be at least 0.1L, such as at least 0.5L, such as at least 1.0L, such as at least 3.0L, such as at least 4.0L, such as at least 5.0L. The reference volume of the container may be at most 22.0L, such as at most 16.L, such as at most 11.0L, such as at most 5.5L, such as at most 3.3L, such as at most 1.1L. The reference volume of the container may be 0.1 to 0.55L or 0.5 to 1.1L or 1.0L to 3.3L or 3.0 to 4.4L or 4.0 to 5.5L, or 5.0 to 6.6L, or 6.0 to 7.7L, or 7.0 to 8.8L, or 8.0 to 9.9L, or 9.0L to 11.0L; or 10.0L to 16.0L or 16.0L to 22.0L.

The container is typically filled with a reference volume of liquid and sealed. The liquid reference volume is the maximum amount of liquid contained in the container before release. The liquid reference volume is typically slightly lower than the container reference volume because the filled and closed container typically has a headspace (unfilled portion or container). The headspace is preferably 0% to 10%, for example 1% to 10% or 1% to 5% of the reference volume of liquid. The liquid reference volume may be at least 0.1L, such as at least 0.5L, such as at least 1.0L, such as at least 3.0L, such as at least 4.0L, such as at least 5.0L. The liquid reference volume may be at most 20.0L, such as at most 15.L, such as at most 10.0L, such as at most 5.0L, such as at most 3.0L, such as at most 1.0L. The liquid reference volume may be 0.1 to 0.5L or 0.5 to 1.0L or 1.0L to 3.0L or 3.0 to 4.0L or 4.0 to 5.0L, or 5.0 to 6.0L, or 6.0 to 7.0L, or 7.0 to 8.0L, or 8.0 to 9.0L, or 9.0L to 10.0L; or 10.0L to 15.0L or 15.0L to 20.0L. For example, the liquid reference volume may be 4.9L to 5.1L.

The thickness of the blown container can be managed by adjusting the preform, in particular its shape and wall thickness, for a given reference volume of the container, and by adjusting the stretching parameters. As mentioned, the geometry of the preform, such as its length, its diameter and its bottom shape, together with the neck determines the weight of the preform and thus of the container. Stretching can be described by the following parameters:

-axial stretch ratio (ratio of length of container under neck to length of preform under neck);

hoop stretch ratio (the ratio of the diameter of the container to the diameter of the preform at half length);

-in-plane draw ratio: axial stretch ratio X hoop stretch ratio.

According to feature b), the planar draw ratio is from 12.0 to 27.0, preferably from 15.0 to 20.0. The axial draw ratio may be, for example, 3.0 to 4.5, preferably 3.3 to 4.0. The hoop stretch ratio may be, for example, 4.0 to 6.0, preferably 4.5 to 5.5.

In one embodiment, according to feature c), the container exhibits a packaging efficacy of from 5.27g/L to 9.33g/L, preferably from 5.27g/L to 7.33g/L, preferably from 5.80g/L to 7.00g/L, said packaging efficacy being determined by the ratio of the container weight to the reference volume of liquid. In this embodiment, the liquid reference volume may preferably be 2.0L to 10.0L.

In one embodiment, according to feature c), the container exhibits a packaging efficacy of 4.0g/L to less than 5.27g/L, said packaging efficacy being determined by the ratio between the weight of the container and the liquid reference volume, with the proviso that said liquid reference volume is at least 10.0L, for example higher than 10.0L. The packaging efficacy can be from 4.0g/L to less than 5.00g/L, provided that the liquid reference volume is at least 12.0L.

In one embodiment, according to feature c), the container exhibits a packaging efficacy of from 4 greater than 9.33g/L to 20.0g/L, said packaging efficacy being determined by the ratio between the weight of the container and the liquid reference volume, with the proviso that the liquid reference volume is at most 2.0L, for example below 2.0L. The packaging efficacy can be from greater than 9.33g/L to 15.0g/L, provided that the liquid reference volume is from 0.5L to 2.0L. The packaging efficacy can be from greater than 15.0g/L to 20.0g/L, provided that the liquid reference volume is from 0.1L to less than 0.5L.

The container may exhibit a surface density of 100 to 200g/m2, for example 100 to 120g/m2 or 120 to 140g/m2, or 140 to 160g/m2, or 160 to 180g/m2, or 180 to 200g/m2, the surface density being determined by the ratio between the surface of the body and the weight of the container. In one embodiment, the ratio of the surface of the body to the weight of the body is 100 to 200g/m2, for example 100 to 120g/m2 or 120 to 140g/m2, or 140 to 160g/m2, or 160 to 180g/m2, or 180 to 200g/m 2.

Ultra-light containers exhibiting characteristics a), b) and/or c) require less PET and are therefore particularly suitable for economic and/or environmental reasons.

Advantageously, when the container is filled with a liquid reference volume and sealed, said container has a highest load resistance of at least 10daN for a deformation of at least 5mm and/or a transverse load resistance of at least 5daN for a deformation of at least 2.5 mm.

In one embodiment:

-an average thickness of 50 μm to 75 μm or 75 μm to 100 μm or 100 μm to 125 μm or 125 μm to 150 μm, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the average thickness of the container is from 50 μm to 75 μm or from 75 μm to 100 μm or from 100 μm to 125 μm or from 125 μm to 150 μm, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-an average thickness of 50 μm to 75 μm or 75 μm to 100 μm or 100 μm to 125 μm or 125 μm to 150 μm, and

-PET consists essentially of recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits a characteristic a) and has an average thickness of 50 μm to 75 μm or 75 μm to 100 μm or 100 μm to 125 μm or 125 μm to 150 μm, and

-the PET consists essentially of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits a characteristic b) and the planar draw ratio is from 12.0 to 27.0 or from 15.0 to 20.0, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits a characteristic b) and the planar draw ratio is from 12.0 to 27.0 or from 15.0 to 20.0, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits a characteristic b) and the planar draw ratio is from 12.0 to 27.0 or from 15.0 to 20.0, and

-the PET consists essentially of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits characteristic b) and the axial stretch ratio of the container is from 3.0 to 4.5, preferably from 3.3 to 4.0, and/or the hoop stretch ratio of the container may be from 4.0 to 6.0, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits characteristic b) and the axial stretch ratio of the container is from 3.0 to 4.5, preferably from 3.3 to 4.0, and/or the hoop stretch ratio of the container may be from 4.0 to 6.0, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits characteristic b) and the axial stretch ratio of the container is from 3.0 to 4.5, preferably from 3.3 to 4.0, and/or the hoop stretch ratio of the container may be from 4.0 to 6.0, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5, and

-PET consists essentially of recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits characteristic b) and the axial stretch ratio of the container is from 3.0 to 4.5, preferably from 3.3 to 4.0, and/or the hoop stretch ratio of the container may be from 4.0 to 6.0, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5, and

-the PET consists essentially of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 5.27g/L to 9.33g/L or from 5.80g/L to 7.00g/L, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 5.27g/L to 9.33g/L or from 5.80g/L to 7.00g/L, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 5.27g/L to 9.33g/L or from 5.80g/L to 7.00g/L, and

-PET consists essentially of recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 5.27g/L to 9.33g/L or from 5.80g/L to 7.00g/L, and

-the PET consists essentially of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 4.0g/L to less than 5.27g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at least 10.0L, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 4.0g/L to less than 5.27g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at least 10.0L, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 4.0g/L to less than 5.27g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at least 10.0L, and

-PET consists essentially of recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from 4.0g/L to less than 5.27g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at least 10.0L, and

-the PET consists essentially of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from more than 9.33g/L to 20.0g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at most 2.0L, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from more than 9.33g/L to 20.0g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at most 2.0L, and

-the PET comprises at least 80% by weight of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from more than 9.33g/L to 20.0g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at most 2.0L, and

-PET consists essentially of recycled PET.

In one embodiment:

-the container exhibits the characteristic c) and the ratio of the weight of the container to the reference volume of liquid is from more than 9.33g/L to 20.0g/L, with the proviso that the reference volume of liquid is at most 2.0L, and

-the PET consists essentially of recycled PET, and

recycled PET by (rPET) has been recycled by mechanical means by post-consumer (PC) recycling.

Further details or advantages of the invention will appear in the following non-limiting examples.

Examples of the invention

Example 1

A container of 100% rPET filled with 5.0L of water (reference volume) was constructed.

The container was prepared by injection stretch blow molding the preform (in which the dimension unit is mm) shown in fig. 1 to obtain the container (in which the dimension unit is mm) shown in fig. 2. The main parameters and characteristics are reported in table 1 below. The container was filled with 5.0L of water and sealed with a screw cap.

TABLE 1

Example 2

An rPET container was constructed containing 5.0L of water (reference volume).

The container was prepared by injection stretch blow molding the preform (in which the size unit is mm) shown in fig. 3 to obtain the container (in which the size unit is mm) shown in fig. 4. The main parameters and characteristics are reported in table 2 below. The container was filled with 5.0L of water and sealed with a screw cap.

TABLE 2

Example 3 coloring test

CIE L of 3 empty containers under the same protocol^*a^*b^*And (4) color testing. The protocol involves, for each container, measuring the thickness at least 7 points regularly spaced along the container body, over several samples, and measuring L at the same points^*And (4) components. Component L^*Represents luminance: l is^*The lower, the darker the coloration. Average thickness and average L^*The components are reported as the mean of measurements of at least 7 points.

Container 1 is a control virgin PET bottle shaped container.

Container 2 is a comparative rPET container having the same shape as container 1.

The container 3 corresponds to the container described in example 2. Letter c represents the comparative example.

Table 3 provides details and results.

TABLE 3

Table 3 shows, in particular, that the loss of brightness per micron of material is much lower for the container of the invention (container 3 of example 2) due to the use of rPET instead of virgin PET.