阅读说明：本技术 优选用于玻璃瓶等玻璃容器的具有玻璃基的创新标签 (Innovative label with glass base, preferably for glass containers such as glass bottles ) 是由 O·阿科内 于 2019-08-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一般用于饮料的玻璃容器,优选为玻璃瓶的标签所固有的技术领域。特别地,它涉及改进类型的玻璃基标签,具有增强的耐冲击性和耐压缩性,并且还可以完全回收。本发明还涉及制造所述标签的相关方法及其用途。(The present invention relates to the technical field inherent in the labeling of glass containers, preferably glass bottles, generally for beverages. In particular, it relates to an improved type of glass-based label, having enhanced impact resistance and compression resistance, and which can also be fully recycled. The invention also relates to a related method of manufacturing said label and to the use thereof.)

1. A label for glass containers consisting of or comprising an effective amount of at least one mixture or dry mass of:

-silicon;

-alumina;

-sodium oxide.

2. The label of claim 1, wherein in the mixture:

silicon with silicon dioxide, SiO₂In the form of a pure white crystalline powder, characterized by an average density of about 2.2g/cm³；

Alumina and Al₂O₃Is present in the form of said Al₂O₃Preferably in the form of white solid particles characterized by an average density of about 3.94g/cm³；

Sodium oxide with Na₂In the form of O, the Na₂O is in the form of a white crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 2.27g/cm³。

3. The label of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the mixture:

-the silica is present in an effective amount ranging from 66% to 76% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-the alumina is present in an effective amount comprised between 14% and 24% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the mixture;

-sodium oxide is present in an effective amount comprised between 4% and 11% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture.

4. The label of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the mixture:

-the silica is present in an amount of 71% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-the alumina is present in an amount of 19% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-sodium oxide is present in an amount of 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

5. The label of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture further comprises an effective amount of:

potassium oxide, and/or

-titanium dioxide;

wherein:

potassium oxide by K₂O is present in the form of said K₂O is in the form of a colorless crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 2.35g/cm³；

Titanium dioxide in TiO₂In the form of said TiO₂In the form of a colorless or whitish crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 4.23g/cm³。

6. The label of claim 5, wherein in the mixture:

-potassium oxide is present in an effective amount ranging from 1% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-titanium dioxide is present in an effective amount of between 0.6% and 1.4% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

7. The label of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the mixture:

-the silica is present in an amount of 71% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-the alumina is present in an amount of 19% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-sodium oxide is present in an amount of 7% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-potassium oxide is present in an amount of 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-titanium dioxide is present in an amount of 1% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

8. The label according to any of the preceding claims having a modulus of rupture of greater than 500kg/cm²。

9. The label according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said label comprises a radius of curvature to adapt to the configuration of the surface of the container to which it is applied.

10. The label according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said label comprises high/low embossed characters.

11. A method for labeling a glass container comprising the steps of:

-providing an effective amount of a substance according to any of the preceding claims within a die of a press;

-compacting the substance in a compressed manner and forming a label;

-extracting the obtained tag;

-subjecting the resulting label to a final firing.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the final firing step is performed at a temperature in a range of about 900 ℃ to about 1150 ℃.

13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the label is shaped according to a predetermined radius of curvature.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the technical field inherent to the labeling of glass containers, preferably glass bottles, generally for beverages. In particular, it relates to an improved type of glass-based label that has enhanced impact and compression resistance and that can also be fully recycled.

The invention also relates to a related method of manufacturing said label and to the use thereof.

Background

International publication No. WO2010/029402A1 is already known.

This publication describes a label for bottles made of moulded ceramic substance, partially or completely covered with enamel, having high or low relief text or graphics, thus having a three-dimensional effect.

This label has proven to have excellent aesthetic characteristics, as well as better durability and resistance to environmental influences (e.g., humidity) than traditional paper labels.

However, a drawback associated with this type of label is that it is very fragile since it is made of a ceramic substance, which means that it is not very resistant to impacts and compression. In addition, the covering enamel is easily peeled or peeled off with the lapse of time. Finally, and above all, the label is not recyclable, and therefore in most cases the bottle on which it is used is not recyclable.

All this has a severe negative impact on the environment. In fact, in italy and in several foreign cities, the need for sorting and collecting the waste is increasingly widespread and even mandatory, so that for some time now special waste bins have been used for specific glass collection.

Patent application WO2016/016763A1 is also well known.

This publication describes a bottle label consisting essentially of a glass-based substance comprising (a) a suitable amount of glass dust resulting from any type of glass breakage and (b) a suitable amount of atomized glass dust, that is, consisting of very small, expanding spheres.

In addition to being durable, resistant to environmental attack, having excellent aesthetic characteristics, the label has proved to be more ecologically compatible, i.e. recyclable with the bottle on which it is used, compared with WO2010/029402a 1.

However, the label is also frangible, that is, not very impact and compression resistant. In addition, in this case, the covering enamel may also peel or peel off over time.

Technical problem

Therefore, there is still a need in the industry for a new label for glass containers, preferably for glass bottles, which, in addition to the advantageous features of the above-mentioned label (durability, resistance to environmental conditions, resistance to washing, reusability, three-dimensional legibility, aesthetically excellent characters/graphics), is also ecologically compatible (i.e. completely recyclable, with the bottle in which it is used), and resistant to impact and compression (i.e. not fragile), in which any possible enamel portion does not peel or peel off over time.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new label for containers, preferably in glass and even more preferably in glass bottles, which solves all the above mentioned technical problems.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a new type of label which not only has the advantageous features of the above-mentioned label, but also has full ecological compatibility, impact resistance and compression resistance, and in which any possible enamel portion does not peel or peel off over time.

These and other objects are therefore achieved, according to claim 1, by a label, for example for glass containers, such as glass bottles, more particularly for bottles of wine or sparkling wine.

According to the invention, the label is constituted by a substance comprising or consisting of an effective amount of at least one mixture or dry mass of:

-silicon;

-alumina;

-sodium oxide.

In this way, all the above technical drawbacks are easily solved.

In particular, as described below, the label is much stronger in impact resistance and compression resistance, and the firing time is significantly shortened.

Advantageously, in said mixture:

silicon may be silicon dioxide, SiO₂In the form of a white crystalline powder, characterized by an average density of about 2.2gr/cm³；

Alumina may be Al₂O₃Is present in the form of said Al₂O₃Preferably in the form of white solid particles characterized by an average density of about 3.94g/cm³；

Sodium oxide may be Na₂In the form of O, the Na₂O is in the form of a white crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 2.27gr/cm³。

Advantageously, in said mixture:

-the silica may be present in an effective amount ranging from 66% to 76% by weight, relative to the total weight of the mixture;

alumina may be present in an effective amount ranging from 14% to 24% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-sodium oxide may be present in an effective amount of 4 to 11% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

Advantageously, in said mixture:

-the silica may be present in an amount of 71% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

alumina may be present in an amount of 19% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

sodium oxide may be present in an amount of 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

Advantageously, the mixture further comprises an effective amount of:

potassium oxide, and/or

-titanium dioxide.

Advantageously, potassium oxide may, for example, be used as K₂O storageIn the above-mentioned K₂O is in the form of a colorless crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 2.35g/cm³。

Advantageously, the titanium dioxide may be TiO₂In the form of said TiO₂In the form of a colorless or whitish crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 4.23gr/cm³。

Advantageously, in said mixture:

-the potassium oxide may be present in an effective amount ranging from 1% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

-titanium dioxide may be present in an effective amount ranging from 0.6% to 1.4% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

Advantageously, in said mixture:

-the silica may be present in an amount of 71% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

alumina may be present in an amount of 19% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

sodium oxide may be present in an amount of 7% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

potassium oxide may be present in an amount of 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

the titanium dioxide may be present in an amount of 1% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

Advantageously, the substance may further comprise an effective amount of one or more silica or polymer-based binder compounds, potassium silicate, sodium silicate or sodium carbonate, capable of helping the ingredients of the mixture to bind to each other and compact in a stable and homogeneous manner during the subsequent pressing and firing stages.

Advantageously, the substance may further comprise an effective amount of one or more addition compounds, coloured pigments, siliceous crystals or natural oxides.

Advantageously, the modulus of rupture of the label is greater than 500kg/cm²。

In the same way, advantageously, a method for manufacturing a label is described herein, comprising the steps of:

providing a mixture or dry mass comprising effective amounts of:

-silicon;

-alumina;

-sodium oxide;

in the mold of a mechanical press;

-pressing said mixture or dough to compact it and form the desired label;

-extracting the tag;

-subjecting the label to final firing.

Further advantages can be derived from the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the desired label may reproduce elements, such as typically graphics, logos, text, in high and/or low relief.

Advantageously, the label obtained may be coated with enamel and/or suitable colours to cover at least the high and/or low relief elements reproduced on the label.

Advantageously, the final firing step may be performed at a temperature in the range of about 900 ℃ to about 1150 ℃, for example for a period of about 2 hours.

The use of a label as described above for glass containers for beverages, preferably for wine and sparkling wine bottles, is also described herein.

Detailed Description

The label for glass containers, preferably glass bottles, according to the invention is constituted by a (glassy) substance comprising or consisting of an effective amount of a mixture or dry mass of:

-silicon;

-alumina;

-sodium oxide.

In the above mixture or dry mass:

silicon is silicon dioxide or SiO₂Or in the form of silicon oxide; the silica is preferably in the form of a pure white crystalline powder characterized by an average density of about 2.2gr/cm³(on the Mohs scale, it is considered to beAre hard components and are also particularly refractory);

alumina with Al₂O₃Or in the form of alumina; the Al is₂O₃Preferably in the form of white solid particles characterized by an average density of about 3.94g/cm³(the most important technical properties of which are its high resistance to acids and its high thermal conductivity);

sodium oxide with Na₂O or sodium dioxide; the Na is₂O is in the form of a white crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 2.27gr/cm³(sodium oxide is known and is commonly used in the art to lower the melting temperature of glass, among other uses).

Preferably, in the mixture or dry mass:

the silicon/silica is present in an effective amount of 66 to 76 wt.%, relative to the total weight of the mixture; preferably, at 68 to 74 wt%; more preferably, at 69 to 73 wt%; even more preferably, from 70 to 72 wt%.

Alumina is present in an effective amount of 14 to 24 wt.%, relative to the total weight of the mixture; preferably, from 16 to 22 wt%; more preferably, from 17 to 21 wt%; even more preferably, at 18 to 20 wt%;

sodium oxide is present in an effective amount of 4 to 11 wt.%, relative to the total weight of the mixture; preferably, from 5 to 10 wt%; more preferably, from 6 to 9 wt%; even more preferably, from 6 to 8 wt%.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mixture:

the silicon/silica is present in an amount of 71% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

alumina is present in an amount of 19% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

the sodium oxide was present in an amount of 10 wt.%, relative to the total weight of the mixture.

Preferably, the mixture or dry mass further comprises an effective amount of:

potassium oxide, and/or

-titanium dioxide;

wherein:

potassium oxide with K₂O or dipotassium oxide (di-potassium oxide); said K₂O is in the form of a colorless crystalline solid characterized by an average density of about 2.35g/cm³；

Titanium dioxide in TiO₂Or in the form of titanium dioxide; the TiO is₂In the form of a crystalline solid, colorless or tending to white, characterized by an average density of about 4.23gr/cm³(also commonly used in the art to improve acid resistance).

In this preferred mixture or dry mass:

potassium oxide is present in an effective amount of 1 to 3 wt.%, relative to the total weight of the mixture; preferably, the amount of the organic solvent is 1.25 to 2.75 wt%; more preferably, from 1.5 to 2.5 wt%; even more preferably, at 1.75 wt.% to 2.25 wt.%;

titanium dioxide is present in an effective amount of 0.6 to 1.4 wt%, relative to the total weight of the mixture; preferably, from 0.7 to 1.3 wt%; more preferably, from 0.8 to 1.2 wt%; even more preferably, from 0.9 to 1.1% by weight.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in the mixture:

the silicon/silica is present in an amount of 71% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

alumina is present in an amount of 19% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

sodium oxide was present in an amount of 7% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

the potassium oxide is present in an amount of 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture;

the titanium dioxide is present in an amount of 1% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture.

The mass comprising the above mixture or dry mass may further comprise an effective amount of one or more binding compounds based on silica or polymers (by way of non-limiting example, potassium silicate, sodium silicate or sodium carbonate) which may advantageously help the ingredients of the above mixture to bind to each other and compact in a stable and homogeneous manner during the subsequent pressing and firing stages.

For the material comprising the above-described mixture or dry mass of the invention, further additives, such as dyes and pigments, may be added, if desired, in order to adapt the final glass mass to various commercial requirements. The additives are freely chosen from those known and commonly used in the glass processing industry, such as siliceous crystals or natural oxides, and are generally within the knowledge of the person skilled in the art.

The above-mentioned substances are mixed according to methods known and used in the art (preferably using known dry powder mixers, for example sold by Eirich or CIMMA) to obtain the final composition of the invention (in particular the mixture), ready for the preparation of the label in a subsequent step.

The above-mentioned final compositions or mixtures of the invention which can be used are visually in the form of homogeneous, colorless or variously colored powders, with a total humidity of between 4% and 15% by weight, preferably between 10% and 12% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition; more preferably from 5.7 to 6 wt%.

The label of the present invention can be made with a certain appropriate radius of curvature or flat shape. In this way it can adapt to any configuration of the surface to which it is applied.

The label may thus be concave, convex or flat, and in any case may be shaped according to a suitable shape, curvature and different dimensions.

The label is then provided with, for example, high and/or low relief characters and/or text and/or lines and/or graphics and/or logos.

An enamel layer or a coloured layer, in any case an external protective coating, may be distributed on the label, in particular at least covering the characters in high/low relief.

The enamel is selected from those well known and commonly used in the art and is used with equipment and application methods known and used in the glass making art.

The method of producing the label of the present invention basically includes the method of molding and firing the substantially glass-based mixture/dough of the present invention, as is known and commonly used in the art. In this respect, reference is made here explicitly to the process for producing glass-based labels described in WO2016/016763a1, which is also advantageously applied to the production of the labels of the present invention, together with some characterizing variants which will be described below. WO2016/016763A1 is hereby incorporated in its entirety by specific reference.

By way of summary and non-limiting example, and again with specific reference to the teachings of WO2016/016763a1, the method for manufacturing the label of the present invention comprises at least the following steps:

-providing an effective amount of a (vitreous) substance comprising or consisting of the aforementioned inventive mixture within a suitable mould (e.g. receiving vesicles (alveolus)) of a suitable mechanical press;

-compressing the (glassy) substance in such a way that it is compact and forms the desired label-replicating elements in high and/or low relief;

-extracting the obtained label and applying enamel and/or suitable colour to cover at least the high and/or low relief characters reproduced on the label;

-final firing of the label obtained from the previous step.

The process of the invention is essentially characterized in that the final firing of the label is carried out at a temperature at least 300 ℃ higher than that of WO2016/016763a1, that is to say, generally at a temperature of about 900 ℃ to about 1150 ℃; preferably, at a temperature of 900 ℃ to 1200 ℃; more preferably, at a total of about 1200 ℃; even more preferably, at a total of 1200 ℃.

Furthermore, the preferred firing times are also much lower than those of WO2016/016763A 1; in fact, the final firing time of the label according to the method of the invention is about 2 hours.

All what has been described in this text makes it possible to significantly improve the modulus of rupture of the label of the invention with respect to the label of WO2016/016763A 1. In fact, the modulus of rupture has been from about 280kg/cm²Increase to more than 500kg/cm²Preferably, it is>550kg/cm²(ii) a More preferably>600kg/cm²(ii) a In a particularly preferred embodiment, about 660kg/cm²(ii) a More preferably 660kg/cm²。

This fact indicates that the labels of the present invention have greater impact and compression resistance and that the firing time is significantly reduced.

Furthermore, unexpectedly, the label of the present invention has been shown to have an absorption of about 0.3% relative to liquid (compared to 7% for the label of WO2016/016763a 1). This fact also makes it possible to obtain better adhesion and better compactness of the colour and/or enamel applied to the surface of the label. This detail should not be underestimated, since in the case of known labels made of ceramic or glass, the enamel tends to peel/peel off from the label body over time, however, advantageously, with the label of the invention, this problem no longer occurs.

Finally, the recyclability of the labels of the invention has also been significantly improved with respect to the known glass labels. For this purpose, fusion tests and subsequent optical microscopy were carried out on green glass bottles carrying labels made with the compositions of the invention. The purpose of this test is to check for stones (not recoverable) after the bottle has been fused with the label.

For testing purposes, the bottles and labels were reduced to 1-2cm sized pieces. The chips were then melted in an electric furnace using a silicon aluminum crucible at an initial temperature of 1200 ℃. The temperature was then raised to 1550 ℃ over 1 hour and held at this level for 2 hours. The temperature was then reduced to 1450 ℃ and held at this temperature for one hour. Finally, the molten glass was poured onto a steel plate, calcined in an electric oven at 540 ℃, and finally slowly cooled to room temperature. The resulting glass was observed under an optical microscope; no calculus was found in the glass samples. From this result, it can be concluded that the label is completely dissolved in the glass of the bottle without the formation of non-recoverable impurities, thus confirming the complete and overall recyclability of the label according to the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In view of all the above, it can be concluded that the label of the present invention solves the technical problem of breakage of existing glass labels, which are more resistant to impact and compression and absorption. It has furthermore been found to be much better in terms of complete recyclability, durability of the enamel and/or colour, without any undesirable cracking and flaking.