Can

Abstract

The present invention relates to a can from biodegradable, in particular home-compostable material.

Description

[0001] can

[0002] The present invention relates to a can for storing foodstuffs, such as fruit, vegetables, meat products, ready meals, soups, pet food and the like.

[0003] Typically, the cans known from the state of the art are disposable metal containers that are disposed of immediately after emptying. This is usually done by disposing of the cans with normal household waste. Considering the approximately 4 billion cans sold annually in Germany alone, the ecological problems associated with the disposal of cans become clear. While some used cans are recycled, the reprocessing of cans also involves environmental pollution, particularly from cleaning agents. Furthermore, a significant amount of energy is required to melt the materials.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to avoid the problems mentioned above which conventional cans cause.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a can made of biodegradable, in particular home compostable and / or industrially compostable material.

[0006] The great advantage of the inventive can is that, after being emptied, it can be added to the home compost heap. When the inventive can comes into contact with microorganisms that live, for example, in the garden or the home compost heap, the decomposition process of the can begins.

[0007] Before disposal, the can according to the invention can be shredded and the resulting compostable material can be distributed in suitable places, such as in a vegetable patch.

[0008] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the food can according to the invention, the biodegradable material is polybutylene succinate (PBS). This material has proven particularly suitable as a material for food cans. It is biodegradable and compostable, and decomposes into biomass within a short time through the action of microorganisms.

[0009] The biodegradable material of the can according to the invention is preferably corn starch, potato starch, sunflower seed husk, rice grain husk, sugar cane, grass, polylactide (PLA), lignin, fungal material, algal material, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and / or coffee grounds, or is obtained from these materials. These materials have proven particularly advantageous in the production of the can according to the invention. These materials are particularly temperature-resistant, airtight, light-impermeable, waterproof, and robust.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the can according to the invention, an inner coating of silicon oxide (SiO x ). Such an inner coating, which is also biodegradable, ensures even better storage of food, even over a very long period of time. Such an inner coating also protects the base material of the can according to the invention from more aggressive ingredients of the products to be stored, such as acids, bases, etc. In addition, a SiO x -Coating creates an oxygen barrier, which ensures that food lasts even longer.

[0011] The can according to the invention can be advantageously manufactured using an injection molding process. This allows for simple and rapid production in all conceivable sizes and shapes.

[0012] The can according to the invention is advantageously designed to be water-, light-, and / or airtight. This makes it ideal for long-term food storage.

[0013] The can according to the invention is preferably heat- and cold-resistant. This allows it to be transported and stored even under different climatic conditions.

[0014] The inventive can is advantageously free of bisphenol A. This ensures that food stored in the inventive can is not contaminated with bisphenol A. Bisphenol A is frequently used for lining common food cans. The ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) classified bisphenol A as a substance of very high concern in 2017. It is proven that even in minute amounts, bisphenol A contributes to the development of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, thyroid disorders, developmental disorders, and infertility in humans.

[0015] The present invention further relates to a use of a can according to the invention for containing and storing foodstuffs, in particular soups, stews, ready meals, vegetables such as sauerkraut, fruit, sausage, meat, fish, dairy products, beverages and pet food.

[0016] The present invention further relates to a use of a can according to the invention for holding and storing paints, varnishes, oils and / or lubricants.

[0017] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings and the subclaims. The individual features may be implemented individually or in combination with one another.

[0018] The drawings show:

[0019] Fig. 1 : a cross section through an inventive

[0020] can of food;

[0021] Fig. 2: a section along the line A - A according to Fig. 1 ;

[0022] Fig. 3: an enlarged view of Fig. 2;

[0023] Fig. 4: an enlarged view of Fig. 2.

[0024] 1 to 4 show a food can 1 according to the invention with a base body 2, which is essentially made of corn starch. The food can 1 further comprises a coating 3 made of silicon oxide, which is arranged on the inner wall 4 of the base body 2. The base body 2 of the food can 1 is cylindrical. At each of the two ends of the base body 2, a circular end plate 5a, 5b is arranged, which is integrally connected to the base body. At the lower end 6 of the food can 1, a shoulder 7 is arranged, which is circular and functions as a type of support strip. This ensures that several cans 1 can be placed on top of one another and are therefore stackable.

[0025] The can shown has a height of approximately 7 cm and a cross-section of approximately 7 cm. The wall thickness of the base body 2 is approximately 1.5 mm. Reinforcing webs 8 are arranged on the inner surfaces of the end plates 5a and 5b.

[0026] The inventive can 1 is primarily made of corn starch and silicon oxide and is therefore biodegradable. After use, the can 1 can be easily added to the home compost. There, the can 1 decomposes within a short time due to the microorganisms present in the compost.

Claims

Claims 1. Can made of biodegradable, especially home compostable and / or industrially compostable Material.

2. Can according to claim 1, characterized in that the biodegradable material is polybutylene succinate (PBS).

3. A food can according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the biodegradable material is corn starch, potato starch, sunflower seed husk, rice grain husk, sugar cane, grass, polylactide (PLA), lignin, fungal material, algal material, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and / or coffee grounds or is obtained from these materials.

4. Can according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner coating (3) made of silicon oxide (SiO x ) is provided.

5. Can according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be produced by injection molding.

6. Can according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is impermeable to water, light and / or air.

7. Can according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is heat and cold resistant.

8. A food can according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is free from bisphenol A.

9. Use of a can (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for receiving and storing foodstuffs, in particular soups, stews, ready meals, vegetables such as sauerkraut, fruit, sausage, meat, fish, dairy products, drinks or pet food.

10. Use of a can (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for holding and storing paints, varnishes, oils and / or lubricants.

Images