DE4411051C2 - Disposable containers for food, especially for drinking water - Google Patents

Description

The disposable container is used for long-term use Storage of food in solid, liquid or pasty shape. The disposable container is particularly suitable for Storage of drinking water for a supply in crisis and Emergency areas or for emergency care ations.

There are different disposable containers for storing Food known, but in most cases the disadvantage of not a problem-free disposal after Have the contents removed.

So disposable packaging for liquid food, such as B. milk, fruit juices or mineral water Laminated body made of cardboard and one or more Barrier layers made of a metal foil and plastic foil, the plastic film made of polyolefin (polyethylene or Polypropylene, polyethylene glycol terephthalate or one Composite consists of these (multilayer film). (DE 31 41 385 A1; DE 78 33 038 U1; DE 86 07 559 U1). packagings with such a laminate structure are in under various sizes and shapes with the most varied best techniques for emptying them, however, a subsequent disposal of the emptied Containers only possible with great effort. Combustion is then ruled out if the plastic films used cannot be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. At Only the cellulose is largely a rotting process parts dismantled. There is a separation of the laminate in most cases too expensive and in crisis and Not to guarantee emergency areas.

In DE 39 37 168 A1, packaging is made from a organic material by pressing cellulose and starch-producing, inferior plant products proposed with the addition of water. These can largely without problems through composting or incineration are disposed of, however, these containers are not for Storage of aqueous food is suitable.  

However, containers are also proposed which pass through Pressing straw with a length between 0.5 and 5 cm with the addition of an adhesive dissolved in water and then Drying be produced (DE 38 13 984 A1). As far as the adhesive used is naturally degradable, can such a container through composting or incineration to be disposed of. Use as a container for aqueous However, food is excluded.

The task is to create a disposable container for food medium, especially for drinking water, which after emptying both by composting in one can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner for a short period of time also due to its problem-free combustion as an energy source Is used.

The object is represented by the claim Disposable container released. The cover of the disposable container is there in a known manner from a stable material, such as cardboard, Cardboard or a compressed cellulose-producing product, such as B. straw or reeds. To further increase the This material is up to 40% strong Polyhydroxyalkanoic acid added before pressing and under The material is hardened by the effect of temperature.

It is also possible to use cellulose fibers or similarly pressed cellulosic or starch made from a film to apply from polyhydroxyalkanoic acid. this happens especially on the surface associated with food medium is in contact. The film can be applied by heat sealing or by sticking with a biodegradation removable adhesive.

The polyhydroxyalkanoic acid used as a film can be a Represent polyhydroxybutyric acid or a copolymer, in particular a copolymer of polyhydroxybutyric acid and Polyhydroxyvaleric acid. It is also possible and  particularly advantageous, the cellulose or starch supplier Product for the cover of the disposable container pure polyhy droxybutyric acid or a copolymer of polyhydroxy butter Acid and polyhydroxyvaleric acid in the amount mentioned Ver add half. The one for the cover except cardboard usable materials are especially those made of short cut fibers of straw, reeds or grass. Such vegetable Er no longer usable in terms of material Certificates result from the known processing methods a support fabric, which incorporates polyhydroxy alkanoic acids ensure sufficient strength. Such disposable containers, especially for use with Drinking water, are suitable for supply in ecological Crisis areas or in drought areas, in their arid climate there is no rotting at reasonable intervals. The emptied disposable containers can be eco-friendly for disposal logically completely harmless alone or together with Local heating material with energy generation (e.g. for Food preparation) are burned without residue. At a Use of the disposable container according to the invention in distress rescue facilities have the advantage of a complete against rotting under the influence of sea water after ent empty the container.

Even when used in emergency areas in the event of failure a local drinking water supply, e.g. B. in Flood areas due to surface water ingress in the drinking water system, such disposable containers can be used the advantage that these are used after emptying are fully compostable.

The invention is explained in more detail below using examples. For the portioning of drinking water, a disposable container according to the invention with a capacity of 1 liter is produced as a cuboid, the edge lengths of which measure 17 × 11 × 6 cm. The inner surface of the packaging is covered with a film made of polyhydroxybutyric acid with an average thickness of 75 μm, the walls made of cardboard contain 30% polyhydroxybutyric acid in a homogeneously distributed form.

This gives a basis weight of 325 g / m² for the packaging. An equally large packaging from one Laminate body of comparable strength would Have a basis weight of 400 g / m².

The disposable container has no additional filling or Spout on and is filled with aseptic after filling Drinking water is sterilized and sealed in a known manner locked.

For storing drinking water for a rescue at sea The island becomes a 5 liter disposable container as a cuboid with edges lengths of 29 × 18 × 10 cm, the walls of which are made from a cardboard with an addition of 40% polyhydroxy butter acidity exist. The inner surface of the packaging is the same if covered with a film of polyhydroxybutyric acid. For such a disposable container, the same strength is sufficient a 20% lower basis weight of the casing than in the case of cardboard packaging in the familiar more layer structure. After emptying, this can be disposable nis be handed over to the lake water, because here in one reasonable time a complete resolution takes place.

Claims (2)

1. Disposable containers for food, in particular for drinking water, in a self-stabilizing form with walls made of a cellulose or starch-supplying, inferior plant product and a barrier layer applied on the inside and / or outside of the walls with low water vapor permeability, the disposable container after the Filling is sealed and sealed, characterized in that the barrier layer is a film made of polyhydroxyalkanoic acid and / or up to 40 parts by weight in% polyhydroxyalkanoic acid, based on the weight of the disposable container, are added to the cellulose or starch supplying product. 2. Disposable container according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyhydroxyalkanoic acid is a polyhydroxybutyric acid represents.