container

Abstract

A container-and-product assembly, comprising a paper-based inflexible container, wherein the container comprises a rigid shell (1) based on pulp, and a parylene coating (2) applied at the container surface, wherein the container contains a liquid consumer product comprising a surfactant.

Description

[0001] CONTAINER

[0002] The present invention relates to a rigid paper-based container. The Invention further relates to a method to manufacture said container.

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] Pulp-based rigid packaging containers are an attractive alternative for petroleum-based containers such as plastic bottles and jars, for example to package consumer goods. Pulpbased containers are based on paper pulp, possibly derived from recycling programs. Paper and cardboard material is transformed into pulp, typically using water, and the pulp is compressed and dried to form a rigid shell. A typical problem observed in the art is that liquid content quickly affects the stability of the pulp-based container, since the liquid swells the cellulose fibers within the pulp, thereby reducing the consistency of the container, and its capacity to hold the liquid content, leading to increased water loss by evaporation and leakage, if not collapse of the container.

[0005] T o overcome this disadvantage, the inner surface of the pulp-based bottles are typically coated. Coating is for example carried out using petroleum-sourced polymers, such as plastics. The use of traditional plastics is increasingly less desired for environmental reasons, because recyclability of the bottles becomes cumbersome, if not impossible, as the coating typically requires a minimum thickness to provide the required protection of the pulp, while recyclability demands a layer that is as thin as possible to meet technical recyclability and to meet legal requirements to qualify as recyclable product.

[0006] There is a continuous need to optimize packaging containers, in particularly to reduce the use of conventional plastics in pulp-based containers. At the same time, it is desired to increase the barrier properties of the pulp-based containers, to protect the cellulose pulp against moisture from the container content, in particular against aggressive content such as surfactantcontaining materials.

[0007] US 2022 / 0275165 A1 relates to repulpable and recyclable packaging materials and / or finished packaging structures. Summary of the invention.

[0008] It was surprisingly found that with a container according to the present invention an improved rigid cellulose pulp-based container could be provided. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a cellulose fiber pulp-based inflexible container, wherein the container comprises:

[0009] • A rigid shell (1) based on cellulose fiber pulp,

[0010] • A parylene coating (2) applied at the inner surface of the shell, and wherein the container contains a consumer product comprising a surfactant.

[0011] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for providing a container according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of: a. Providing a rigid cellulose pulp fiber-based container shell (1), b. Applying a parylene coating (2) to the inside of the container shell (1) and directly to the pulp-based shell (1), c. Filling the container with consumer product which comprises surfactant, to result in a container according to the invention.

[0012] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a parylene layer (2) provided on the inside of a cellulose fiber pulp-based shell (1) of a rigid container, to improve the barrier property against a surfactant, preferably a surfactant comprising product.

[0013] Detailed description of the invention

[0014] The present invention relates to a rigid packaging container that is based on cellulose fibercomprising pulp, such as paper pulp or cardboard pulp. The cellulose fiber pulp-based container typically is a rigid material. It can typically not be easily bend without damaging the integrity. The container is therefore typically not a flexible product. It accordingly preferably does not comprise a sealing layer, as is often used in flexible laminates, such as in sachets. The rigid container typically has a three-dimensional shape.

[0015] Shell (1)

[0016] The rigid container comprises preferably a total of one, or a total of two, but preferably a total of one layer of cellulose pulp, preferably paper-pulp or cardboard pulp. Paper typically comprises cellulose fibers. The pulp layer forms the pulp-based shell (1) of the container. The cellulose fiber pulp-based shell preferably has a grammage of between 200 and 1200 gram / m2, preferably of 300 and 800 gram / m2(gsm). This provides suitable rigidity to the final container product to comprise a consumer product (5), such as for example a bottle or jar, whereas the container can be suitably transported during manufacturing, filling and to points of sale. The cellulose fibre pulp-based shell preferably has a thickness of between 0.5 and 5 mm, more preferably of from 0.5 to 3 mm, even more preferably from 0.6 to 2 mm and even more preferably from 0.7 to 1.7 mm.

[0017] In view of the aim of providing a container with less impact on the environment, cellulose fibre pulp, is preferably present in an amount of more than 50 wt%, more preferably more than 70 wt%, even more preferably more than 80 wt% and even more preferably more than 90 wt%, and most preferably more than 95 wt%, based on the weight of the container. Preferably, cellulose fibers constitute more than 50 wt%, more preferably more than 70 wt%, even more prefeably more than 80 wt%, even more preferably more than 85 wt%, even more preferably more than 90 wt%, and most preferably more than 95 wt% of the weight of the container. The amount of total non-fibrous material, for example the amount of plastic, is preferably below 20 wt%, preferably below 10 wt%, and more preferably below 5 wt%, based on the weight of the container. It can be for example from 1 to 20 wt%, more preferred from 2 to 10 wt%, or more preferred from 3 to 5 wt%, based on the weight of the container. The total amount of petroleum derived material, for example the amount of petroleum-derived plastic, is preferably below 20 wt%, preferably below 10 wt%, and more preferably below 5 wt%, based on the weight of the container. It can be for example from 1 to 20 wt%, more preferred from 2 to 10 wt%, or more preferred from 3 to 5 wt%, based on the weight of the container.

[0018] It may be preferred, that the cellulose fibre pulp-based shell comprises microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), for example in an amount of from 0.1 and 10 wt%, preferably from 0.5 to 3 wt%. The use of MFC in the pulp-based shell may contribute to an easier discharge of the product from the container, and more complete discharge of the consumer product from the container, thereby reducing waste. Without willing to be bound to theory, it is believed that the use of MFC in the paper pulp, which was observed to result in a very smooth inner surface (product-facing surface) of the subsequent barrier laminate, may contribute to this effect.

[0019] Parylene layer

[0020] The container of the invention comprises a layer of parylene (2). A parylene layer (2) is deposited on the inside wall of the container shell (1). Parylene is known in the art. Parylene is the common name of a class of polymers whose backbone consists of para-benzenediyl rings -CeH4- connected by 1 ,2-ethanediyl bridges - CH2-CH2-. Parylenes are obtain through polymerization of vaporized monomers, for instance parylene N can be obtained by polymerization of para-xylylene H2C=C6H4=CH2. Another name for parylene N is poly-(para-xylol).

[0021] Reaction scheme showing pyrolysis of dimer starting reagent to form the para-xylylene monomer which polymerises to form parylene N polymer.

[0022] Repeating unit of parylene N.

[0023] In traditional applications, parylene coatings are applied to electronic circuits and other equipment. They are used in medicine to prevent adverse reactions to implanted devices. Parylene coatings are typically applied by chemical vapor deposition in an atmosphere of the monomer such as para-xylylene.

[0024] Several varieties of parylene can be used in the context of the present invention. Derivatives of parylene can be obtained by replacing hydrogen atoms on the phenyl ring or the aliphatic bridge by other functional groups. Parylene N is the unsubstituted polymer that is obtained by polymerization of the para-xylylene intermediate. Parylene C has one hydrogen atom in the aryl ring replaced by chlorine. Parylene D has two chlorine substitutions on the ring with chorine at the meta position, as known in the art.

[0025] Repeating unit of parylene C

[0026] Parylene AF-4 has the four hydrogen atoms on the aliphatic chain replaced by fluorine atoms. Parylene VT-4 (also called parylene F) has fluorine substituted for the four hydrogens on the aryl ring.

[0027] Specifically, replacement of one hydrogen on the phenyl ring by a methyl group or an ethyl group yields parylene M and parylene E, respectively.

[0028] Another common variant is parylene D, with two such substitutions on the ring.

[0029] Substitution may occur by alkyl groups on either the phenyl ring or the ethylene bridge, or both. Replacement of one hydrogen on the phenyl ring by a methyl group yields parylene M, substitution or an ethyl group yields and parylene E, respectively.

[0030] Parylene E

[0031] Parylene AM2

[0032] Suitably, the parylene used for a layer in the container of the invention is selected from the group consisting of parylene N (poly(p-xylene) or a derivative thereof. Accordingly, the layer is preferably selected from the group consisting of parylene N, parylene C (poly(2-chloro-p- xylene), parylene D, parylene F, parylene AF4, parylene E, parylene M, parylene A, parylene AM2 and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the parylene is selected from the group consisting of parylene N, parylene D or parylene C and mixtures thereof. Even more preferably, the parylene is selected from the group consisting of parylene N or parylene C and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the parylene is parylene C. It was observed, that in the context of the present invention, parylene N and C showed a particular good resistance to moisture and impact of chemicals when used in cellulose fibre pulp-based rigid container for packaging consumer products.

[0033] The parylene layer (2) has preferably a thickness of between 1 and 100 microns, preferably between 2 and 50 microns, preferably of between 2.5 and 30 microns, most preferably of between 3 and 25 microns, and can for example preferably be from 4 to 20 microns.

[0034] Preferably, the parylene layer (2) has a thickness of between 1 and 100 gsm (grams per square meter), more preferably of between 2 and 80 gsm, even more preferably between 3 and 60 gsm, even more preferably between 5 and 50 gsm, more preferably between 5 and 40 gsm. The thickness may preferably be from

[0035] 5 to 25 gsm. The latter weight ranges (expressed as gsm) correspond typically with the respective thickness ranges indicated earlier (microns).

[0036] Accordingly, it can for example be preferred that when the parylene layer is parylene C, the thickness of the first parylene layer is of between 1 and 100 microns, preferably between 2 and 50 microns and even more preferably between 2.5 and 30 microns and most preferably between 3 and 25 microns. Also, it can be preferred that when the first parylene layer is parylene N, the thickness of the first parylene layer is of between 1 and 100 microns, preferably between 2 and 50 microns and even more preferably between 2.5 and 30 microns and most preferably between 3 and 25 microns.

[0037] It is desired, that the grammage of the parylene layer (2) is less than 30wt%, preferably less than 20 wt%, even more preferably less than15wt%, even more preferably less than 10wt%, even more preferably less than 3wt%, of the total weight of the rigid container. In this manner optimal recyclability of the container is achieved. The grammage of the parylene layer (2) is preferably from 0.5 to 30wt%, more preferably from 1 to 15wt%, even more preferably from 2 to 20wt%, even more preferably from 3 to 15 wt% and even more preferably from 4 to 10wt%, based on the total weight of the container. The amount of polymer other than parylene may be from 1 to 20 wt%, preferably from 1 .5 to 10 wt%, more preferably from 2 to 8 wt%, based on the weight of the container. It can be for example from 1 to 20 wt%, more preferred from 1 .5 to 10 wt%, or more preferred from 2 to 8 wt%, based on the weight of the container.

[0038] It was observed that typical barrier layers used in combination with rigid cellulose fibre pulpbased shells especially at a thickness that allows for recyclability of the container, showed very poor resistance to surfactant. It was surprisingly observed that application of a parylene layer (2) in a cellulose fibre pulp-based shell (1) showed sufficiently resistant against surfactant. In this manner, a cellulose fiber pulp-based container can be provided that can comprise a surfactant-comprising consumer product, preferably a liquid surfactant-comprising consumer good, such as an aqueous (water-comprising) surfactant-comprising consumer good, wherein the barrier layer is as thin as possible and preferably wherein the container still meets requirements for recyclability. This was even more surprising, since parylene appeared to have relatively poor barrier properties against water in this context of a cellulose pulp fiber-based shell.

[0039] Additional barrier layer

[0040] An additional barrier layer (3) may be present at the inside of the container shell, i.e. in addition to a parylene layer (2). A further barrier layer (3) may contribute to provide a consistent surface, which is beneficial in the context of cellulose pulp fiber-based shell. The further barrier layer (3) may be, for example, one or more layers, either with or without a mineral filler, selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, ethylene-acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers, butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymers (BVOH), cellulose nitrate, ethyl-vinyl acetates, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), native and chemically modified starches, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyisobutylene, poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), polyesters, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and their copolymers, polylactic acid (PLA), polyolefins, polyurethanes (Pll), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl dichloride, silanes, styrene acrylate, styrene-butadiene, waxes, or xylan and chemically modified xylan, preferably acrylic acid, ethylene-acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers, butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymers (BVOH), ethyl-vinyl acetates, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyesters, styrene acrylate, styrene-butadiene, and combinations thereof.

[0041] The further barrier layer (3) has preferably a thickness of between 5 and 150 gsm, more preferably from 5 to 120 gsm, even more preferably from 10 to 50 gsm and even more preferably from 10 to 40 gsm and even more preferably from 15 to 30 gsm. The further barrier layer (3) is preferably deposited using dispersion coating and can suitably be applied using flow coating or spray coating, as known to the skilled person.

[0042] An additional third barrier layer (4), preferably comprising a metal layer or metal oxide layer, and more preferably being an aluminum layer or an aluminum oxide layer, may be present. It may be located for example on top of the parylene layer (2), e.g. when no second barrier layer

[0043] (3) is present, or between the parylene layer (2) and the second barrier layer (3). If present, such a third barrier layer preferably has a thickness of between 0.01 and 1 micron.

[0044] It can be preferred that no additional barrier layer (4) is present, preferably, that no metal or metal oxide layer is present in the container. It can be preferred that no additional barrier layer

[0045] (4) comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, with or without metalisation is present. An advantage of the present invention, in the context of the use of a rigid cellulose fiber pulp-based container, is that no third barrier layer, such as a metal layer or metal oxide layer, is needed. The container may preferably have only a total of one layer, i.e. the parylene layer (2), deposited on the inside wall of the shell (1).

[0046] Ink layer

[0047] The packaging container of the invention is used to protect a consumer product (5). In this respect, it also provides a communication function to the consumers who will buy the consumer products, typically via information printed on the surface of the container facing the consumer, including information regarding ingredients, appealing artwork, and advertisement etc. The container therefore preferably comprises a layer of ink (6). This layer of ink is preferably connected to the pulp-based shell (1). It may be preferred that there is a primer applied between the pulp-based shell and the ink layer. Appropriate primers are known to the person skilled in the art, and may, for example, be a polyurethane primer. The layer of ink is preferably in direct connection with the cellulose-pulp-based shell (1) and typically faces the outside of the container, i.e. the site opposite to the site of the container that will be in contact with the consumer product to be packaged.

[0048] Protection layer

[0049] For example, to protect the ink layer (6), the container preferably comprises a protection layer (7) on top of the ink layer. The protection layer is typically facing the outside world. It is typically located opposite to the product-facing site of the container. The protection layer (7) may be an over-print varnish (OPV), OPVs are well-known to the person skilled in the art and the chosen varnish depends on the intended use of the container of the present invention. For example, the OPV may be selected from the group consisting of conventional offset letterpress varnishes, acrylic varnishes, UV varnishes, and gravure varnishes. OPVs can be water-based polymer formulations or solvent-based polymer formulations.

[0050] The protection layer may also be a layer comprising parylene, preferably being parylene C or parylene N. In the latter case, the container comprises more than one layer of parylene and preferably comprises a total of two layers of parylene. A second parylene layer (7) could be preferred, as it provides an additional protection layer to outside influences.

[0051] It might be preferred that a further barrier layer is applied at the outside of the container. This further barrier layer may function as a protection of an ink layer (6). This further barrier layer may preferably comprise a parylene or one or more from the list consisting of acrylic acid, ethylene-acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers, butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymers (BVOH), cellulose nitrate, ethyl-vinyl acetates, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), microfibri Hated cellulose (MFC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), native and chemically modified starches, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyisobutylene, poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), polyesters, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and their copolymers, polylactic acid (PLA), polyolefins, polyurethanes (Pll), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl dichloride, silanes, styrene acrylate, styrene-butadiene, waxes, or xylan and chemically modified xylan, preferably acrylic acid, ethylene-acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers, butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymers (BVOH), ethyl-vinyl acetates, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyesters, styrene acrylate, styrene-butadiene, and combinations thereof.

[0052] The protection layer (7) typically is deposited directly on the ink layer (6), It is preferably in direct contact with the ink layer. The protection layer, e.g. the further barrier layer (7) or parylene layer (7), faces an outside of the container, typically the site opposite to the site that is intended to face or faces the consumer product to be packaged.

[0053] The thickness of the protection layer (7), preferably of the further barrier layer (7) or second parylene layer (7), is preferably between 1 and 30 microns, preferably of between 5 and 15 microns.

[0054] Packaged consumer product

[0055] The invention relates to a container containing a consumer product which comprises a surfactant. In this respect, the invention relates to the combination of a container and a consumer product. For example a kit. Such a kit is typically in the form of a packaged consumer product. The consumer product is contained in the container. The container may be in the form of a bottle, jar, box, tray, refill pod, pot, tube, preferably in the form of a bottle or jar. The consumer product is preferably a liquid consumer product or a semi-liquid consumer product. The consumer product preferably comprises water. The surfactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or a mixture thereof. Most preferably the consumer product comprises an anionic surfactant. Typical consumer products that can be packaged using a container of the invention are preferably selected from the group consisting of laundry detergents, skin cleansing products (such as a shower gel or soap bar), skin or personal care products (such as a body lotion or toothpaste) and haircare products.

[0056] It is preferred, that the combination according to the invention is a combination of a container and a consumer product, wherein the container is a cellulose fiber pulp-based inflexible container, wherein the container comprises:

[0057] • A rigid shell (1) based on cellulose fiber pulp, wherein the shell preferably has a thickness of from 500 to 5000 microns;

[0058] • A parylene coating (2) applied at the inner surface of the shell, wherein the parylene coating (2) preferably has a thickness of between 1 and 100 microns; and wherein the consumer product is a consumer product comprising surfactant and wherein the consumer product is contained in the container contains a consumer product comprising a surfactant.

[0059] More preferably, the combination according to the invention is a combination of a container and a consumer product, wherein the container is a cellulose fiber pulp-based inflexible container, wherein the container comprises: • A rigid shell (1) based on cellulose fiber pulp, wherein the shell has a thickness of from 500 to 5000 microns;

[0060] • A parylene coating (2) applied at the inner surface of the shell, wherein the parylene coating (2) has a thickness of between 1 and 100 microns; and wherein the consumer product is a consumer product comprising surfactant and wherein the consumer product is contained in the container contains a consumer product comprising a surfactant.

[0061] An in particular preferred combination according to the invention is:

[0062] A combination of a container and a consumer product, wherein the container is a cellulose fiber pulp-based inflexible container, wherein the container comprises:

[0063] • A rigid shell (1) based on cellulose fiber pulp, wherein the shell has a thickness of from 500 to 5000 microns;

[0064] • A parylene coating (2) applied at the inner surface of the shell, wherein the parylene coating (2) has a thickness of between 1 and 100 microns, wherein the parylene coating (2) comprises parylene which is selected from the group consisting of parylene N, parylene C (poly(2-chloro-p-xylene), parylene D, parylene F, parylene AF4, parylene E, parylene M, parylene A, parylene AM2 and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the parylene coating (2) comprises parylene N, parylene C or a mixture thereof; and wherein the consumer product is a liquid consumer product comprising surfactant and wherein the consumer product is contained in the container.

[0065] Process

[0066] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a process to provide the rigid container according to the invention. The process comprises the steps of: a. Providing a rigid cellulose pulp fiber-based container shell (1), b. Applying a parylene coating (2) to the inside of the container shell (1) and directly to the pulp-based shell (1), c. Filling the container with a consumer product comprising surfactant, to result in a container according to the invention.

[0067] In step a) a rigid shell based on cellulose pulp (1) is provided. Cellulose pulp shells can be produced via wet or dry moulding processes and are commercially available. In step b) a parylene coating (2) is applied to the inside of the container shell (1). The shell is positioned into a deposition chamber, also called coating chamber. The process is essentially illustrated in Figure 1.

[0068] Once in the deposition chamber, typically an atmosphere is created of a parylene monomer. The parylene monomer is preferably selected from the group consisting of para-xylylene (i.e, the monomer for parylene N), the monomer of parylene C, the monomer of parylene D, the monomer of parylene E, the monomer of parylene F, the monomer of parylene AF-4, the monomer of parylene M, or the monomer of parylene AM-2. It is preferred, that the parylene monomer is selected from the group consisting of para-xylylene (i.e, the monomer for parylene N), the monomer of parylene C, the monomer of parylene D, even more preferably from the group consisting of para-xylylene (i.e, the monomer for parylene N) and the monomer of parylene C, and most preferably the monomer is the monomer for parylene C. This atmosphere is typically created by vaporising a raw material, i.e. a dimer molecule, for example dichloro[2,2]paracyclophane for parylene C, 2,2-paracyclophane for parylene N, octafluor[2.2]paracyclophane for parylene F (AF-4), as the skilled person is aware. This is typically done in a sublimation process at a temperature typically of between 150 and 175 °C and typically in a vaporizer, that may be connected to the coating chamber. The dimer vapour is heated high enough to trigger pyrolysis, typically at a temperature between 650 and 690 °C, typically in a pyrolysis furnace that is connected to the coating chamber. In this respect, for example, the vaporizer feeds into the pyrolysis furnace, and the latter feeds into the coating chamber. During pyrolysis the dimer splits to form two monomer molecules, each with two, highly reactive, carbon-centered free radicals. This reactive monomer vapour then enters the coating chamber, which is held at room temperature, typically at a pressure of 30-50 Torr (39999.7-6666.1 Pa).

[0069] Accordingly, the step of applying a parylene layer, preferably comprises the steps of:

[0070] - providing an atmosphere comprising parylene monomer in vapour form, preferably para-xylylene, i.e, the monomer for parylene N, or a monomer of parylene C, a monomer of parylene D, a monomer of parylene E, a monomer of parylene F, a monomer of parylene AF-4, a monomer of parylene M, or a monomer of parylene AM-2, and allowing monomer of parylene to deposit on the shell (1), and to polymerize, to form a barrier layer in the form of a parylene coating (2).

[0071] In these steps, the parylene monomer in vapour form is allowed to deposit on the shell (1). This is typically achieved by decreasing the temperature below the deposition temperature of the respective monomers. Deposition typically occurs by reducing the temperature below 60°C. Preferably, the temperature is above the polymerization temperature of the parylene, and the temperature is preferably brought to between -30 and 60 °C, preferably between 0 and 30 °C, most preferably between 5 and 25 °C.

[0072] The pressure during polymerization is preferably of from 0.3 to 0.5 Torr, which translates to a pressure of from 40.0 - 66.6 Pa.

[0073] Excess parylene is typically captured in a cold trap. A pump, such as a vacuum pump, connected to the coating chamber, typically removes the air and other gasses from the coating chamber, and thereby allows parylene deposition on the shell (1).

[0074] The parylene coating process may include masking part of the container, e.g. the outside, to prevent the parylene coating all surfaces, for example, masking the outside of the container to get an inside deposition.

[0075] The thickness of the parylene layer can be controlled by the deposition time, wherein longer deposition results in a thicker coating. Typically, a deposition time is used of from 12 to 48 hours, more preferably of from 12 to 17 hours, to achieve for example parylene layers of between 0.5 and 100 microns, preferably 2 and 50, more preferably between 5 and 40 microns, preferably of between 2.5 and 30 micron, most preferably of between 3 and 20 micron.

[0076] The parylene layer preferably is from 1 to 100, preferably from 2 to 80 more preferably from 3 to 70 even more preferably from 5 to 50, even more preferably from 5 to 40 gsm, even more preferably from 5 to 25, or even more preferably from 5 to 20 gsm.

[0077] In step c) a consumer product comprising a surfactant is filled in the container. This is preferably a liquid product. This can be done with filling methods on filling lines as known in the art.

[0078] Use

[0079] Using a parylene layer enables a much thinner / lighter cellulose pulp-based barrier system, when compared to traditional plastic-coated systems (e.g. PE), that still provides a water vapour transmission rate measured at 23°C and 50% RH that is preferably below 25, more preferably below 10 and optimally below 1 g / m2 / day. The barrier laminate preferably has an oxygen transmission rate at 23 °C and at 50 RH of below 25, preferably 10, more preferably below 5 and more preferably of below 1 and most preferably of below 0.5 cc / m2 / day. The relatively higher fiber content, compared to existing containers not according to the present invention, enhances their recyclability. Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of parylene in an inflexible cellulose pulpbased container to provide barrier property. Preferably, the barrier property is against influence from one or more of moisture (such as water vapor), water, oxygen, fat, salt, alkaloid, acid, fragrance, flavours, and mixtures of these, preferably of liquid water or oxygen. It may be preferred that the barrier property is protection against moisture wherein the water vapour transmission rate measured at 38°C and 90% RH is below 40, preferably below 30 and optimally below 10 g / m2 / day, or the WVTR is measured at 25 °C and at 50 RH below and is below 15, preferably below 10 and most preferably below 5, or wherein both apply. It can be preferred that the barrier property is protection against oxygen, wherein the barrier laminate has an oxygen transmission rate at 25 °C and at 50 RH of below 25, preferably 10, more preferably below 5 and more preferably of below 1 and most preferably of below 0.5 cc / m2 / day.

[0080] It was surprisingly observed, that parylene was suitable to enhance the barrier property of a barrier laminate applied inside a cellulose fiber pulp-based shell (1) against surfactantcomprising products, e.g. surfactant-comprising liquid products, even if these products comprise water.

[0081] Accordingly, the invention relates in a further aspect to the use of a parylene layer (2) provided on the inside of a cellulose fiber pulp-based shell of a rigid container, to improve the barrier property against a surfactant, preferably a surfactant comprising product, more preferably a surfactant comprising liquid product. The surfactant preferably comprises one or more of an anionic, a non-ionic, or a zwitter ionic or amphoteric or a cationic surfactant, preferably against an anionic surfactant.

[0082] The invention is now exemplified by the following, non-limiting examples:

[0083] Examples

[0084] Example 1

[0085] Wet-molded bottle shells manufactured from cellulose-pulp were used with a thickness of the wall of 1000 micron. A parylene C coating was applied to the inside bottle surface with a thickness of the coating of 50 micron.

[0086] The bottles were filled with water or with a surfactant- (and water-) containing laundry detergent (commercial Persil Non-Bio™, Unilever, comprising 15-30% anionic surfactant and 5-15% Nonionic surfactants). The bottles then were subjected to a storage test at 23 °C at a humidity of 50% RH. After 12 weeks the weight decrease of the filled bottle was measured, which reflects the migration of water / other volatiles from the bottle contents.

[0087] Results are depicted in Table 1 and Figure 2 (different tests with water vs. surfactant-containing aqueous solution (Persil NBTM):

[0088] Table 1. Weight loss (wt%) after storage of 12 weeks.

[0089] Counterintuitively, it was observed, that a parylene coating provided much better resistance to an aqueous solution comprising surfactants compared to water.

[0090] Example 2

[0091] Jars prepared from paper-pulp (wet moulded) were provided with different barrier coating layers (first barrier layer) known from the art, using flow coating, as depicted in the table 2. The coatings were applied to produce a smooth barrier coating, at minimum thickness to achieve full coverage of the jar fibre surface, as dictated by the coating viscosity.

[0092] Samples were tested under the following conditions: ambient: 23°C and 50%RH and elevated 37°C and 70% RH to resemble ambient and extreme conditions across Europe, North America, etc.

[0093] The jars were filled with body lotion (Vaseline Advanced Repair Body Lotion, Unilever) containing surfactants (Stearic acid, glycol stearate, PEG-100 stearate, glyceryl stearate, cetyle alcohol) and water, amongst other ingredients. The jars were stored for 12 weeks at 23°C / 50%RH and 37°C / 70%RH °.

[0094] Table 2. Content reduction from pulp-based jars coated with different barrier layers.

[0095] As is clear from table 2, a parylene coating is the only coating that shows acceptable barrier properties against the body lotion, even though this product comprises water. It is found that a parylene coating applied to the inner surface of a cellulose fiber pulp-based shell provides good barrier properties against surfactant-comprising products.

[0096] Example 3

[0097] A container according to the present invention, can for example be build up from the following layers:

Claims

Claims1. A combination of a container and a consumer product, wherein the container is a cellulose fiber pulp-based inflexible container, wherein the container comprises:• A rigid shell (1) based on cellulose fiber pulp, wherein the shell has a thickness of from 500 to 5000 microns;• A parylene coating (2) applied at the inner surface of the shell, wherein the parylene coating (2) has a thickness of between 1 and 100 microns; and wherein the consumer product is a consumer product comprising surfactant and wherein the consumer product is contained in the container.

2. The combination according to claim 1 , wherein the shell of the container has a thickness of from 500 to 3000 microns, more preferably from 600 to 2000 microns and even more preferably from 600 and 1700 microns.

3. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the parylene coating (2) comprises parylene which is selected from the group consisting of parylene N, parylene C (poly(2-chloro-p-xylene), parylene D, parylene F, parylene AF4, parylene E, parylene M, parylene A, parylene AM2 and mixtures thereof.

4. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the parylene coating (2) comprises parylene N, parylene C or a mixture thereof.

5. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the parylene coating (2) has a thickness of between 2 and 50 microns.

6. The combination according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactantcomprising consumer product is liquid, preferably is a liquid detergent product, a liquid personal care product, or a liquid personal wash product.

7. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumer product is a shower gel, a soap bar, a shampoo, a toothpaste, a laundry detergent, a deodorant, or a surfactant-comprising sauce.

8. The combination according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant is selected from the groups consisting of anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof.

9. The combination according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the grammage of the first parylene layer is less than 30 wt%, preferably less than 20 w%, preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10 wt%, more preferably less than 3% of the total grammage of the container.

10. The combination according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the container further comprises a barrier layer or a second parylene layer applied at the outside of the container.11 . A method for providing a combination according to anyone of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: a. Providing a rigid cellulose pulp fiber-based container shell (1), wherein the shell has a thickness of from 500 to 5000 microns; b. Applying a parylene coating (2) to the inside of the container shell (1) and directly to the pulp-based shell (1), wherein the parylene coating (2) has a thickness of between 1 and 100 microns; c. Filling the container with consumer product which comprises surfactant, to result in a combination according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Use of a parylene coating (2) provided on the inside of a cellulose fiber pulp-based shell (1) of a rigid container, to improve the barrier property against a surfactant-comprising consumer product, more preferably an aqueous surfactant-comprising consumer product.

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