Repair of refillable or reusable polymer-based packaging
AssigneeThe Coca-Cola Company
InventorsRonald D. Moffitt, Yu Shi, Xiaoyan Huang
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Abstract
This disclosure provides economical and effective methods and apparatus for repairing scratches and scuffs on refillable bottle surfaces that minimally contaminates the bottle during the refurbishing process. In one aspect, the method comprises the steps of: a) adding at least one fluid into the polymeric packaging material such as a bottle to form at least a partially filled packaging material; and b) applying at least one heat source to an exterior surface of the at least partially filled packaging material to form a repaired polymeric packaging material. Apparatus and recycling systems that incorporate this method are also disclosed.
Claims20
A method for repairing a polymeric packaging material, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a polymeric packaging material, an exterior surface of which is scratched or scuffed;
- b) adding at least one fluid into the polymeric packaging material to form a filled packaging material, wherein the filled packaging material is at least partially filled with the fluid;
- and
- c) applying at least one heat source to an exterior surface of the filled packaging material to form a repaired polymeric packaging material.
A method for repairing a polymeric packaging material, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a polymeric packaging material, an exterior surface of which is scratched or scuffed;
- b) abrading the exterior surface of the polymeric packaging material;
- c) adding at least one fluid into the polymeric packaging material to form a filled packaging material, wherein the filled packaging material is at least partially filled with the fluid, or applying at least one fluid onto the exterior surface of the polymeric packaging material;
- and
- d) applying at least one heat source to an exterior surface of the filled packaging material to form a repaired polymeric packaging material.
A method for repairing a polymeric packaging material, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a polymeric packaging material, an exterior surface of which is scratched or scuffed;
- and
- b) abrading the exterior surface of the polymeric packaging material to form a repaired polymeric packaging material.
An apparatus for recycling a polymeric packaging material comprising:
- a) at least one fluid source for providing at least one fluid for dispensing into the polymeric packaging material to form a filled packaging material;
- b) at least one heat source configured to heat an exterior surface of the filled packaging material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.