EP4622886A1 - Vessel closure having a sealing element, vessel having a vessel closure, and process for manufacturing a closed vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vessel closure having a sealing element. The sealing element comprises a polymer composition. The polymer composition comprises a propene copolymer. Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23°C and a holding time of 15 s, lies in a range from 30 to 95.

Description

Vessel closure with sealing element, vessel with vessel closure and method for producing a closed vessel

The invention relates to a vessel closure with a sealing element, a vessel with the vessel closure and a method for producing a closed vessel.

Vessel closures with a sealing element are known from the prior art. In particular, polymer compositions for the sealing element that do not contain PVC or that contain additional polymer components in addition to PVC are relatively cost-intensive, and processing of the polymer composition is relatively difficult.

It is often detrimental if relatively large amounts of oxygen penetrate into a filled container that has been sealed with a container closure, especially if the contents are foodstuffs. Sealing elements made of PVC offer good protection against such oxygen penetration into a container. Sealing elements with a low PVC content often achieve this only inadequately. Therefore, oxygen scavengers are often used in low-PVC polymer compositions for the sealing elements. One example of an oxygen scavenger is sodium sulfite. However, sodium sulfite is often undesirable in compositions for sealing elements of container closures, as this sulfite salt can migrate into the contents and cause allergic-like reactions in consumers.

Thermal treatment of a sealed container, such as thermal pasteurization or thermal sterilization, presents a challenge for the sealing element of a container closure. On the one hand, the sealing element must be designed to ensure a good seal between the container closure and the container during storage, which requires the sealing element to be not too hard at ambient temperature. On the other hand, the sealing element must survive the thermal treatment undamaged.

An object of the invention is to provide a vessel closure with a sealing element, wherein the sealing element can be produced at acceptable costs and the sealing element has low or very low oxygen permeability values.

A further object is to provide a vessel closure with a sealing element that is pasteurizable or sterilizable when the vessel closure closes a vessel.

Yet another object is to provide a vessel closure with a sealing element, wherein the sealing element has low overall migration. At least one of the problems is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

Disclosed is a vessel closure with a sealing element. The sealing element comprises a polymer composition. The polymer composition comprises a propene copolymer. The Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range of 30 to 95.

Alternatively, the Shore hardness (in particular Shore A hardness and/or Shore D hardness) in this disclosure can be determined according to ASTM D2240 or DIN EN ISO 868, in each case at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s.

The sealing element can be substantially disc-shaped or substantially annular.

The sealing element may have a thickness (in the axial direction of the vessel closure and/or in the axial direction of the vessel) of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm, more preferably at least 1.5 mm, more preferably at least 2.0 mm.

The sealing element can have a diameter (perpendicular to the axial direction of the vessel closure and/or perpendicular to the axial direction of the vessel) of at most 300 mm, preferably at most 250 mm, more preferably at most 200 mm, more preferably at most 150 mm, more preferably at most 120 mm. The diameter of the sealing element can be at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, more preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm. The sealing element particularly preferably has a diameter between 10 mm and 200 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 130 mm.

The polymer composition can make up a large portion of the sealing element. The sealing element can comprise other components in addition to the polymer composition. The other components can be polymeric or non-polymeric components. For example, the sealing element can comprise one or more films. The film can be a polymeric or non-polymeric film; preferably, the film is a metal foil. In particular, the sealing element consists of the polymer composition.

The melting temperature of the propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, can range from 110°C to 200°C. The term DSC stands for differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Preferably, the melting temperature of the propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, is in a range of 130 °C to 200 °C, preferably in a range from 130 °C to 165 °C, more preferably in a range from 130 °C to 180 °C. Particularly preferably, the melting temperature of the propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10 °C/min, is in a range from 130 °C to 150 °C or in a range from 150 °C to 170 °C.

The Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, can be in a range from 40 to 95 or from 50 to 95. Preferably, the Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range from 60 to 90, more preferably in a range from 65 to 90. In particular, the Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range from 67 to 77, in a range from 70 to 80, in a range from 79 to 89, or in a range from 81 to 91.

The melt flow rate (MFR) of the propene copolymer, determined according to ASTM Dl 238 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, can be in a range of 0.1 g/10 min and 100 g/10 min, preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 80 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 60 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 2 g/10 min and 50 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 4 g/10 min and 40 g/10 min.

The comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer can be at least 30 mol%. Preferably, the comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer is at least 35 mol%, more preferably at least 40 mol%, more preferably at least 45 mol%, more preferably at least 50 mol%, more preferably at least 55 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 65 mol%, more preferably at least 70 mol%, more preferably at least 75 mol%, more preferably at least 80 mol%.

The comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer can be at most 95 mol%. Preferably, the comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer is at most 92 mol%, more preferably at most 90 mol%, more preferably at most 87 mol%, and more preferably at most 85 mol%.

The comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer may be in a range of 30 mol% to 95 mol%, preferably in a range of 40 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range of 50 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range of 60 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range of 70 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range of 70 mol% to 90 mol%, more preferably in a range of 75 mol% to 90 mol%. The propene copolymer may comprise at least one second comonomer. The second comonomer may be a C4 to C16 (alpha) olefin, preferably a C4 to C12 (alpha) olefin, more preferably a C4 to C8 (alpha) olefin, more preferably 1-butene.

The comonomer content of the second comonomer in the propene copolymer may be at most 20 mol%, preferably at most 15 mol%, more preferably at most 10 mol%, more preferably at most 7 mol%.

The comonomer content of the second comonomer in the propene copolymer may be at least 1 mol%, preferably at least 2 mol%, more preferably at least 3 mol%, more preferably at least 4 mol%.

The comonomer content of the second comonomer in the propene copolymer may be in a range of 1 mol% to 15 mol%, preferably in a range of 1 mol% to 10 mol%, more preferably in a range of 2 mol% to 10 mol%, more preferably in a range of 2 mol% to 8 mol%.

The propene copolymer may comprise a third comonomer. The third comonomer may be ethene.

The propene copolymer can be a propene-ethene-1-butene copolymer. The propene copolymer can be a terpolymer.

The comonomer content of the third comonomer in the propene copolymer may be at most 40 mol%, preferably at most 30 mol%, more preferably at most 20 mol%, more preferably at most 15 mol%.

The comonomer content of the third comonomer in the propene copolymer may be at least 1 mol%, preferably at least 5 mol%, more preferably at least 10 mol%.

The comonomer content of the third comonomer in the propene copolymer may be in a range of 1 mol% to 15 mol%, preferably in a range of 1 mol% to 10 mol%, more preferably in a range of 2 mol% to 10 mol%, more preferably in a range of 2 mol% to 8 mol%.

The terms "second" and "third" comonomer serve to distinguish between the two. The third comonomer may be included in an independent claim without the second comonomer necessarily being present. However, both the second and third comonomers are preferably present in the propene copolymer. The propene copolymer may comprise a second and a third comonomer. The second and third comonomers may be different monomers. The second and third comonomers may be selected from C2, or C4 to C16 (alpha)olefin, preferably C2, or C4 to C12 (alpha)olefin, more preferably C2, or C4 to C8 (alpha)olefin, more preferably C2, or C4 to C6 (alpha)olefin. More preferably, the second comonomer is 1-butene and the third comonomer is ethene.

The comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer may be higher than the comonomer content of the second comonomer. The comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer may be higher than the comonomer content of the third comonomer. The comonomer content of the third comonomer in the propene copolymer may be higher than the comonomer content of the second comonomer. The comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer may be higher than the comonomer content of the third comonomer, and the comonomer content of the third comonomer may be higher than the comonomer content of the second comonomer.

The propene copolymer may have isotactic polypropene segments. A polypropene segment may have a chain length of at least 5, preferably at least 8, more preferably at least 10, and even more preferably at least 15. This means that in a polypropene segment, propene may be present or polymerized in at least 5 consecutively in the backbone of the polymer. The polypropene segment may be completely isotactic.

The propene copolymer can be a random copolymer.

The propene copolymer can be present in the polymer composition at at least 5 wt.%, preferably at least 10 wt.%, more preferably at least 15 wt.%, more preferably at least 20 wt.%, more preferably at least 25 wt.%, more preferably at least 30 wt.%, more preferably at least 35 wt.%, more preferably at least 40 wt.%, more preferably at least 45 wt.%, more preferably at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 55 wt.%, more preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 65 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, more preferably at least 75 wt.%, more preferably at least 80 wt.%, more preferably at least 85 wt.%, more preferably at least 90 wt.%.

The propene copolymer may be present at a maximum of 99% by weight, preferably at a maximum of 97% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 90% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 85% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 80% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 75% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 70% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 65% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 60% by weight, more preferably at most 55 wt.%, more preferably at most 50 wt.%, more preferably at most 45 wt.%, more preferably at most 40 wt.%, more preferably at most 35 wt.%, more preferably at most 30 wt.%, more preferably at most 25 wt.%, more preferably at most 20 wt.%, more preferably at most 15 wt.%, more preferably at most 10 wt.%, may be contained in the polymer composition.

The propene copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 5 wt% to 99 wt%.

The propene copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 50 wt% to 99 wt%, preferably in a range of 60 wt% to 99 wt%, more preferably in a range of 70 wt% to 99 wt%, more preferably in a range of 80 wt% to 99 wt%, more preferably in a range of 90 wt% to 99 wt%.

The propene copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 5 wt% to 90 wt%, preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 80 wt%, more preferably in a range of 20 wt% to 80 wt%, more preferably in a range of 30 wt% to 70 wt%, more preferably in a range of 40 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably in a range of 45 wt% to 55 wt%.

The propene copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 5 wt% to 60 wt%, preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 50 wt%, more preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 40 wt%, more preferably in a range of 15 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 20 wt% to 30 wt%.

The propene copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 40 wt% to 95 wt%, preferably in a range of 50 wt% to 95 wt%, more preferably in a range of 60 wt% to 95 wt%, more preferably in a range of 70 wt% to 95 wt%, more preferably in a range of 78 wt% to 89 wt%.

Generally, weight % specifications refer to the total weight of all components of a mixture or composition. For example, weight % specifications for components of the polymer composition refer to all components of the polymer composition.

The propene copolymer may be the only polymeric component in the polymer composition. The polymer composition may contain at least one further polymer. The polymer composition may contain at most one further polymer. The further polymer may be a polyolefin.

The further polymer can have a Shore A hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, of at least 40. In particular, the further polymer has a Shore A hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, in a range of 40 to 95.

The additional polymer can have a Shore D hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, in a range of 20 to 75.

The further polymer may have a melting temperature, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, in a range of 30°C to 110°C.

The further polymer can have a Shore D hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, of at least 30. In particular, the further polymer has a Shore D hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, in a range of 30 to 80.

The further polymer can be present in the polymer composition at a level of at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, more preferably at least 45% by weight, more preferably at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 55% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 65% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 85% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight.

The further polymer can be present at a maximum of 99% by weight, preferably at a maximum of 97% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 90% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 85% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 80% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 75% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 70% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 65% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 60% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 55% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 50% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 45% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 40% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 35% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 30% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 25% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 20% by weight. %, more preferably at most 15 wt.%, more preferably at most 10 wt.%, may be contained in the polymer composition.

The further polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 30 wt% to 95 wt%, preferably in a range of 40 wt% to 90 wt%, more preferably in a range of 50 wt% to 85 wt%, more preferably in a range of 60 wt% to 80 wt%, more preferably in a range of 67 wt% to 77 wt%.

The further polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 1 wt% to 50 wt%, preferably in a range of 5 wt% to 40 wt%, more preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 15 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 19 wt% to 29 wt%.

The further polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range from 5 wt% to 90 wt%, preferably in a range from 10 wt% to 80 wt%, more preferably in a range from 20 wt% to 80 wt%, more preferably in a range from 30 wt% to 70 wt%, more preferably in a range from 40 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably in a range from 43 wt% to 53 wt%.

The further polymer may be a homopolymer or a copolymer, in particular a bipolymer.

The polymer composition may comprise a further propene copolymer. The further propene copolymer is different from the propene copolymer described above. The further propene copolymer may be the further polymer.

The Shore D hardness of the further propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, can be in a range from 20 to 75. The Shore D hardness of the further propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is preferably in a range from 30 to 70, preferably in a range from 40 to 60. The Shore D hardness of the further propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is particularly preferably in a range from 47 to 57 or in a range from 50 to 60.

The melting temperature of the further propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, can be in a range from 30°C to 110°C. Preferably, the melting temperature of the further propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, is in a range from 40°C to 110°C, preferably in a range from 50°C to 100°C, more preferably in a range from 50°C to 90°C, more preferably in a range from 60 °C to 90 °C, more preferably in a range from 70 °C to 90 °C. Particularly preferably, the melting temperature of the further propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10 °C/min, is in a range from 70 °C to 80 °C or in a range from 78 °C to 88 °C.

The melt flow rate (MFR) of the further propene copolymer, determined according to ASTM Dl 238 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, can be in a range of 0.1 g/10 min and 100 g/10 min, preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 80 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 40 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 2 g/10 min and 20 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 4 g/10 min and 10 g/10 min.

The melt flow rate (MFR) of the further propene copolymer, determined according to ASTM Dl 238 at 190 °C and 2.16 kg, can be in a range of 0.1 g/10 min and 100 g/10 min, preferably in a range of 0.1 g/10 min and 60 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 40 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 20 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 5 g/10 min.

The comonomer content of propene in the further propene copolymer can be at least 30 mol%. Preferably, the comonomer content of propene in the further propene copolymer is at least 35 mol%, more preferably at least 40 mol%, more preferably at least 45 mol%, more preferably at least 50 mol%, more preferably at least 55 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 65 mol%, more preferably at least 70 mol%, more preferably at least 75 mol%, more preferably at least 80 mol%.

The comonomer content of propene in the further propene copolymer can be at most 95 mol%. Preferably, the comonomer content of propene in the further propene copolymer is at most 92 mol%, more preferably at most 90 mol%, more preferably at most 87 mol%, and more preferably at most 85 mol%.

The comonomer content of propene in the further propene copolymer can be in a range from 30 mol% to 95 mol%, preferably in a range from 40 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range from 50 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range from 60 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range from 70 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably in a range from 70 mol% to 90 mol%, more preferably in a range from 75 mol% to 90 mol%.

The further propene copolymer may comprise a second comonomer. The second comonomer may be a C2 or C4 to C16 (alpha)olefin, preferably a C2 or C4 to C12 (alpha)olefin, more preferably a C2 or C4 to C8 (alpha)olefin, more preferably 1-butene. The comonomer content of the second comonomer in the further propene copolymer can be at most 40 mol%, preferably at most 30 mol%, more preferably at most 25 mol%, more preferably at most 20 mol%.

The comonomer content of the second comonomer in the further propene copolymer may be at least 1 mol%, preferably at least 5 mol%, more preferably at least 10 mol%, more preferably at least 15 mol%.

The comonomer content of the second comonomer in the further propene copolymer can be in a range from 1 mol% to 40 mol%, preferably in a range from 5 mol% to 30 mol%, more preferably in a range from 10 mol% to 20 mol%.

The comonomer content of propene in the further propene copolymer may be higher than the comonomer content of the second comonomer.

The additional propene copolymer may be a bipolymer. The additional propene copolymer may be a propene-1-butene copolymer.

The further propene copolymer may comprise isotactic polypropene segments. A polypropene segment may have a chain length of at least 5, preferably at least 8, more preferably at least 10, and more preferably at least 15. This means that in a polypropene segment, propene may be present or polymerized in at least 5 consecutively in the backbone of the polymer. The polypropene segment may be completely isotactic.

The further propene copolymer can be a random copolymer.

The further propene copolymer can be present in the polymer composition at a level of at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, more preferably at least 45% by weight, more preferably at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 55% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 65% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 85% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight.

The further propene copolymer can be present at a maximum of 99% by weight, preferably at a maximum of 97% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 90% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 85% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 80% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 75% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 70% by weight. %, more preferably at most 65 wt. %, more preferably at most 60 wt. %, more preferably at most 55 wt. %, more preferably at most 50 wt. %, more preferably at most 45 wt. %, more preferably at most 40 wt. %, more preferably at most 35 wt. %, more preferably at most 30 wt. %, more preferably at most 25 wt. %, more preferably at most 20 wt. %, more preferably at most 15 wt. %, more preferably at most 10 wt.

The further propene copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 5 wt% to 99 wt%.

The further propene copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 5 wt% to 60 wt%, preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 50 wt%, more preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 40 wt%, more preferably in a range of 15 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 20 wt% to 30 wt%.

The polymer composition may comprise a cycloolefin polymer. The cycloolefin polymer may be the further polymer.

A cycloolefin polymer is a polymer made from at least one cyclic (olefinic) monomer. The at least one cyclic monomer may be copolymerized with another monomer, particularly with a non-cyclic monomer. The other monomer may be an olefin, particularly an alpha-olefin. The cycloolefin polymer may also be made by ring-opening polymerization of at least one cyclic (olefinic) monomer. After polymerization of the at least one cyclic (olefinic) monomer, the polymer may be hydrogenated.

The cycloolefin polymer cannot contain any segments derived from styrene. Styrene cannot have been used as a (co)monomer for the polymerization of the cycloolefin polymer.

The cycloolefin polymer may not contain any aromatic groups. The cycloolefin polymer may be free of one or more aromatic groups.

The cycloolefin polymer may be uncrosslinked. The cycloolefin polymer may not have any chemical crosslinking.

The cycloolefin polymer cannot comprise propene as a comonomer. Propene cannot have been used as a comonomer in the preparation of the cycloolefin polymer. The cycloolefin polymer cannot comprise any units derived from propene. The cycloolefin polymer cannot be EPDM (ethylene-propene-diene rubber) with a cyclic comonomer. The cycloolefin polymer cannot be EPDM (ethylene-propene-diene rubber). In particular, ethene-norbornene is not a comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer.

The polymer composition may contain a maximum of 20 wt.% EPDM, preferably a maximum of 15 wt.% EPDM, more preferably a maximum of 10 wt.% EPDM, more preferably a maximum of 5 wt.% EPDM, more preferably a maximum of 1 wt.% EPDM. Preferably, the polymer composition does not contain EPDM. The polymer composition may be free of EPDM.

In the cycloolefin polymer, at least one ring (cycle) may be integrated or contained in the main chain or backbone of the cycloolefin polymer. The ring (cycle) may be covalently bonded to the main chain or backbone. The main chain or backbone may be the longest series of covalently bonded atoms. The main chain or backbone may form the continuous chain of the polymer.

Exactly one monomer or at most one monomer can be used to produce the cycloolefin polymer.

The cycloolefin polymer preferably contains monocyclic units. The cycloolefin polymer may comprise a monocyclic C5 unit. The monocyclic C5 unit may be a ring (cycle) with five carbon atoms.

The cycloolefin polymer may have a light transmittance, determined according to ISO 13468-2, of at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 82%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 87%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 92%, more preferably at least 95%.

The cycloolefin polymer may have a water absorption, determined according to ISO 62, of at most 10%, preferably at most 9%, more preferably at most 8%, more preferably at most 7%, more preferably at most 6%, more preferably at most 5%, more preferably at most 4%, more preferably at most 3%, more preferably at most 2%, more preferably at most 1%, more preferably at most 0.5%, more preferably at most 0.2%, more preferably at most 0.1%, more preferably at most 0.05%.

The cycloolefin polymer may have a Shore A hardness (determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s) of at least 40. Preferably the Shore A hardness of the cycloolefin polymer is at least 50, more preferably at least 60, more preferably at least 70, more preferably at least 80, more preferably at least 90.

The cycloolefin polymer may have a Shore D hardness (determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s) of at least 20. Preferably, the Shore D hardness of the cycloolefin polymer is at least 30, more preferably at least 40, more preferably at least 50, more preferably at least 60, more preferably at least 70, more preferably at least 75.

The Shore D hardness of the cycloolefin polymer may be at most 90, preferably at most 80, more preferably at most 70, more preferably at most 60, more preferably at most 50. In particular, the Shore D hardness of the cycloolefin polymer is between 70 and 85 or between 72 and 87.

The cycloolefin copolymer can have a density (determined according to ISO 1183) of at least 0.850 g cm' ³ . Preferably, the density of the cycloolefin polymer is at least 0.870 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 0.890 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 0.910 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 0.930 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 0.950 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 0.970 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 0.990 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 1.000 g cm' ³ , more preferably at least 1.010 g cm' ³ , most preferably between 0.920 g cm' ³ and 1.050 g cm' ³ .

The density of the cycloolefin polymer is preferably between 0.900 g cm' ³ and 1.100 g cm' ³ , more preferably between 0.920 g cm' ³ and 1.050 g cm' ³ , more preferably between 0.930 g cm' ³ and 1.030 g cm' ³ . Particularly preferably, the density of the cycloolefin polymer is between 0.930 g cm' ³ and 0.950 g cm' ³ , or between 0.970 g cm' ³ and 0.990 g cm' ³ , or between 1.000 g cm' ³ and 1.020 g cm' ³ , or between 1.010 g cm' ³ and 1.030 g cm' ³ .

The cycloolefin copolymer may have a glass transition temperature (determined according to ISO 11357-1, -2, -3, 10 °C/min) of at least -20 °C. Preferably, the

Glass transition temperature of the cycloolefin copolymer at least 0 °C, more preferably at least 3 °C, more preferably at least 40 °C, more preferably at least 60 °C, more preferably at least 70 °C, more preferably at least 90 °C, more preferably at least 110 °C, more preferably at least 125 °C, more preferably at least 130 °C, more preferably at least 150 °C, more preferably at least 170 °C.

The glass transition temperature of the cycloolefin copolymer may be at most 200 °C, preferably at most 190 °C, more preferably at most 180 °C, more preferably at most 170 °C, more preferably at most 160 °C, more preferably at most 150 °C, more preferably at most 140 °C, more preferably at most 120 °C, more preferably at most 100 °C, more preferably at most 80 °C, more preferably at most 70 °C, more preferably at most 50 °C, more preferably at most 30 °C, more preferably at most 10 °C.

The glass transition temperature of the cycloolefin copolymer can be between 1 °C and 11 °C, or between 60 °C and 70 °C, or between 73 °C and 83 °C, or between 74 °C and 84 °C, or between 130 °C and 140 °C, or between 129 °C and 139 °C, or between 133 °C and 143 °C, or between 153 °C and 163 °C, or between 173 °C and 183 °C.

A monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer may be a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin. After polymerization of the cycloolefin polymer, the cycloolefin polymer may comprise at least one monocyclic unit or polycyclic unit. The monocyclic unit or polycyclic unit may be formed by the monocyclic or polycyclic monomer or comonomer.

Preferably, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer is a monocyclic or polycyclic C3 to C20 olefin. More preferably, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer is a monocyclic or polycyclic C5 to C20 olefin. More preferably, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer is a monocyclic or polycyclic C7 to C17 olefin, more preferably a monocyclic or polycyclic C7 to C12 olefin. Particularly preferably, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer is a monocyclic or polycyclic C7 olefin. For example, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer is norbornene (bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene).

The monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer can be a monocyclic or polycyclic alkene. The monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer can be a monocyclic C3 to C8 olefin (monocyclopropene to monocyclooctene).

The monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer may contain at least two rings (cycles). Preferably, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer contains two to twenty, more preferably two to fifteen, more preferably two to ten, and even more preferably two to eight rings (cycles). The monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer may be a bis- to octacycloolefin. Suitable monomers or comonomers of the cycloolefin polymer are described on pages 4 to 17, in particular on pages 6, 7 and/or in Tables 1 and 2, of EP 0 283 164 A2, the contents of which are incorporated into the present disclosure by reference.

The monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer may be a homocycle. Preferably, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer is a carbon homocycle. The monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer can be a heterocycle. The heterocycle can contain one or more heteroatoms. Preferably, the heterocycle contains nitrogen, oxygen, and/or sulfur.

The monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer may be unsubstituted or substituted. Preferably, the monomer or comonomer of the cycloolefin polymer contains at least one of the following substituents: alkenyl, alkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, and halogen.

The cycloolefin polymer may be unsubstituted or substituted. Preferably, the cycloolefin polymer contains at least one of the following substituents: alkenyl, alkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, and halogen.

In general, some molecules (monomers or comonomers) are referred to herein by the number of carbon atoms they contain. For example, a C5 olefin is an olefin with 5 carbon atoms, and a C20 olefin is an olefin with 20 carbon atoms.

The cycloolefin polymer can be prepared by ring-maintaining or ring-opening polymerization. The ring-opening polymerization can be a ring-opening metathesis polymerization.

In a ring-preserving polymerization, one or more rings (cycles) of a monomer can remain in the polymer after polymerization. In other words, one or more rings (cycles) of a monomer cannot be opened by polymerization.

In a ring-opening polymerization, one or more rings (cycles) of a monomer may be absent from the polymer after polymerization. In other words, one or more rings (cycles) of a monomer may be opened during polymerization.

Preferably, after the ring-opening polymerization, one ring (cycle) or multiple rings (cycles) are present in the polymer. A monomer used for the polymerization can contain at least two rings (cycles). In particular, the monomer used for the polymerization contains exactly two rings (cycles) or at most two rings (cycles). One of the rings (cycles) can be opened by the polymerization. Another of the rings (cycles) can be present in the (polymerized) polymer. This means that at least one of the rings (cycles) can be opened during the polymerization and another of the rings (cycles) can be incorporated into the polymer or be present in the polymer. A monocyclic or polycyclic olefin can have a proportion of at least 2 mol% in the cycloolefin polymer. Preferably, a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin in the cycloolefin polymer has a proportion of at least 5 mol%, more preferably at least 10 mol%, more preferably at least 20 mol%, more preferably at least 40 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 65 mol%.

A monocyclic or polycyclic olefin can have a proportion of at most 90 mol% in the cycloolefin polymer. Preferably, a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin in the cycloolefin polymer has a comonomer proportion of at most 75 mol%, more preferably at most 60 mol%, more preferably at most 50 mol%, more preferably at most 40 mol%.

The proportion of a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin in the cycloolefin polymer may be between 25 mol% and 35 mol%, or between 45 mol% and 55 mol%, or between 60 mol% and 70 mol%, or between 60 mol% and 90 mol%, in particular between 70 mol% and 80 mol%.

In particular, the cycloolefin polymer is a cycloolefin copolymer. The cycloolefin copolymer can be made from at least two different monomers. Preferably, the cycloolefin copolymer is a cycloolefin bipolymer. In a cycloolefin bipolymer, exactly two different types of monomers are used for polymerization.

A comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can be a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin. Preferably, a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer is a C2 to C8 (alpha)olefin, more preferably a C2 to C6 (alpha)olefin. A comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can be ethene, 1-butene, or 1-hexene. Most preferably, a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer is ethene. The comonomer can be referred to as a non-cyclic comonomer.

A monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content of at least 2 mol%. Preferably, a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer has a comonomer content of at least 5 mol%, more preferably at least 10 mol%, more preferably at least 20 mol%, more preferably at least 40 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 65 mol%.

A monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content of at most 90 mol%. Preferably, a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer has a Comonomer content of at most 75 mol%, more preferably of at most 60 mol%, more preferably of at most 50 mol%, more preferably of at most 40 mol%.

The comonomer content of a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can be between 25 mol% and 35 mol%, or between 45 mol% and 55 mol%, or between 60 mol% and 70 mol%, or between 60 mol% and 90 mol%, in particular between 70 mol% and 80 mol%.

The non-cyclic comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content of at most 90 mol%, preferably at most 80 mol%, more preferably at most 60 mol%, more preferably at most 40 mol%, more preferably at most 35 mol%. The non-cyclic comonomer can be any non-cyclic comonomer disclosed herein, and in particular a non-cyclic comonomer described in more detail above. For example, the non-cyclic comonomer is a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin, particularly preferably ethene.

The non-cyclic comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer may have a comonomer content of at least 10 mol%, preferably at least 25 mol%, more preferably at least 40 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 65 mol%. The non-cyclic comonomer may be any non-cyclic comonomer disclosed herein, and in particular a non-cyclic comonomer described in more detail above. For example, the non-cyclic comonomer is a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin, particularly preferably ethene.

The non-cyclic comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content between 65 mol% and 75 mol%, or between 45 mol% and 55 mol%, or between 30 mol% and 40 mol%, or between 10 mol% and 40 mol%, in particular between 20 mol% and 30 mol%. The non-cyclic comonomer can be any non-cyclic comonomer disclosed herein and in particular a non-cyclic comonomer described in more detail above. For example, the non-cyclic comonomer is a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin, particularly preferably ethene.

A monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content of at least 10 wt.%. Preferably, a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer has a comonomer content of at least 20 wt.%, more preferably at least 25 wt.%, more preferably at least 40 wt.%, more preferably at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, more preferably at least 80 wt.%. A monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content of at most 95 wt. Preferably, a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as a comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer has a comonomer content of at most 90 wt. %, more preferably at most 80 wt. %, more preferably at most 70 wt. %, more preferably at most 60 wt. %, more preferably at most 50 wt. %, more preferably at most 40 wt. %, more preferably at most 35 wt.

The comonomer content of a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can be between 25 wt% and 35 wt%, or between 45 wt% and 55 wt%, or between 60 wt% and 70 wt%, or between 70 wt% and 80 wt%, or between 72 wt% and 82 wt%, or between 78 wt% and 88 wt%, or between 81 wt% and 91 wt%.

The non-cyclic comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content of at most 90 wt. %, preferably of at most 80 wt. %, more preferably of at most 70 wt. %, more preferably of at most 60 wt. %, more preferably of at most 50 wt. %, more preferably of at most 40 wt. %, more preferably of at most 30 wt. %, more preferably of at most 28 wt. %, more preferably of at most 22 wt. %, more preferably of at most 19 wt. The non-cyclic comonomer can be any non-cyclic comonomer disclosed herein and in particular a non-cyclic comonomer described in more detail above. For example, the non-cyclic comonomer is a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin, particularly preferably ethene.

The non-cyclic comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer can have a comonomer content of at least 5 wt. %, preferably at least 9 wt. %, more preferably at least 12 wt. %, more preferably at least 18 wt. %, more preferably at least 20 wt. %, more preferably at least 30 wt. %, more preferably at least 40 wt. %, more preferably at least 45 wt. %, more preferably at least 50 wt. %, more preferably at least 60 wt. %, more preferably at least 65 wt. The non-cyclic comonomer can be any non-cyclic comonomer disclosed herein and in particular a non-cyclic comonomer described in more detail above. For example, the non-cyclic comonomer is a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin, particularly preferably ethene.

The non-cyclic comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer may have a comonomer content between 9 wt% and 19 wt%, or between 12 wt% and 22 wt%, or between

18 wt% and 28 wt%, or between 20 wt% and 30 wt%, or between 30 wt% and

% and 40 wt.%, or between 45 wt.% and 55 wt.%, or between 65 wt.% and

75 wt.%. The non-cyclic comonomer may be any non- cyclic comonomer and in particular a non-cyclic comonomer described in more detail above

Comonomer. For example, the non-cyclic comonomer is a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin, particularly preferably ethene.

For example, the cycloolefin copolymer is an ethene-norbornene copolymer, in particular an ethene-norbornene bipolymer.

The cycloolefin polymer may be present in the polymer composition at a level of at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, more preferably at least 45% by weight, more preferably at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 55% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 65% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 85% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight.

The cycloolefin polymer may be present in the polymer composition at a maximum of 99% by weight, preferably at a maximum of 97% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 90% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 85% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 80% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 75% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 70% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 65% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 60% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 55% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 50% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 45% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 40% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 35% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 30% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 25% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 20% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 15% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 10% by weight.

The cycloolefin polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 5 wt% to 99 wt%.

The cycloolefin polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 50 wt% to 99 wt%, preferably in a range of 60 wt% to 99 wt%, more preferably in a range of 70 wt% to 99 wt%, more preferably in a range of 80 wt% to 99 wt%, more preferably in a range of 90 wt% to 99 wt%.

The cycloolefin polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 30 wt% to 95 wt%, preferably in a range of 40 wt% to 90 wt%, more preferably in a range of 50 wt% to 85 wt%, more preferably in a range of 60 wt% to 80 wt%, more preferably in a range of 67 wt% to 77 wt%. The cycloolefin polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 1 wt% to 50 wt%, preferably in a range of 5 wt% to 40 wt%, more preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 15 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 19 wt% to 29 wt%.

The cycloolefin polymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 1 wt% to 50 wt%, preferably in a range of 5 wt% to 40 wt%, more preferably in a range of 5 wt% to 30 wt%, more preferably in a range of 5 wt% to 25 wt%, more preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 25 wt%.

The polymer composition may comprise a random or block copolymer. The random or block copolymer may be the further polymer.

Ethene is preferably a comonomer of the random or block copolymer. Alternatively or additionally, at least one C3 to C16 (alpha-)olefin may be a comonomer of the copolymer.

Preferably, ethene is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer and at least one C3 to C16(alpha-)olefin is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer. More preferably, ethene is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer and at least one C3 to C8(alpha-)olefin is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer. More preferably, ethene is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer and at least one of propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene and 1-octene is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer. Particularly preferably, ethene is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer and 1-butene or 1-octene is a comonomer of the random or block copolymer.

The random or block copolymer can be a bipolymer.

If the random or block copolymer contains ethene as a comonomer, the comonomer content of ethene in the random or block copolymer may be more than 30 mol%, preferably more than 40 mol%, more preferably more than 50 mol%, more preferably more than 55 mol%, more preferably more than 60 mol%, more preferably more than 70 mol%, more preferably more than 80 mol%, more preferably more than 90 mol%.

The random or block copolymer may be an ethene-1-octene copolymer, in particular an ethene-1-octene block copolymer or a random ethene-1-octene copolymer.

The comonomer content of ethene in the random or block copolymer may be less than 90 mol%, preferably less than 80 mol%, more preferably less than 70 mol%, more preferably less than 60 mol%, more preferably less than 50 mol%, more preferably less than 40 mol%, more preferably less than 30 mol%, more preferably less than 20 mol%, more preferably less than 10 mol%.

The random or block copolymer may be an i-butene-ethene copolymer, in particular a random i-butene-ethene copolymer, or a propene-ethene copolymer, in particular a random propene-ethene copolymer.

The random or block copolymer can be present in the polymer composition at a level of at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, more preferably at least 45% by weight, more preferably at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 55% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 65% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 85% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight.

The random or block copolymer can be present in the polymer composition at a maximum of 99% by weight, preferably at a maximum of 97% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 90% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 85% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 80% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 75% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 70% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 65% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 60% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 55% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 50% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 45% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 40% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 35% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 30% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 25% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 20% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 15% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 10% by weight.

The random or block copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 5 wt% to 99 wt%.

The random or block copolymer may be present in the polymer composition in a range of 1 wt% to 50 wt%, preferably in a range of 5 wt% to 40 wt%, more preferably in a range of 10 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 15 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 19 wt% to 29 wt%.

The random or block copolymer may be present in a range of 1 wt% to 45 wt%, preferably in a range of 1 wt% to 35 wt%, more preferably in a range of 5 % to 25 wt. %, more preferably in a range of 7 wt. % to 17 wt. %, in the polymer composition.

The additional polymer in the polymer composition can be a homopolymer. The additional polymer can be a C2 to C4 homopolymer. For example, the additional polymer can be homopolyethylene (HDPE or LDPE). Likewise, the additional polymer can be homopropene. The additional polymer can be homo-1-polybutene. The homopolymer can be present in the polymer composition in the same weight proportions as the random or block copolymer.

The polymer composition may contain less than 10 wt.% polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Preferably, the polymer composition contains less than 2 wt.% PVC; more preferably, the polymer composition is free of PVC (within the analytical accuracy at the filing date).

The polymer composition may contain at least 1 wt.% PVC. Preferably, the polymer composition contains at least 2 wt.%, more preferably at least 5 wt.%, more preferably at least 10 wt.%, more preferably at least 20 wt.%, more preferably at least 30 wt.% PVC. The further polymer of the polymer composition may be PVC.

The polymer composition may not comprise an oxygen scavenger. The polymer composition may be free of an oxygen scavenger. In particular, the polymer composition does not contain or is free of sodium sulfite.

The polymer composition may not contain SEBS (styrene-ethene-butene-styrene). The polymer composition may be free of SEBS. In particular, the polymer composition does not contain any styrene-containing component or is free of any styrene-containing component.

The polymer composition may contain at least 1 wt.% of a component that is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar. Preferably, the polymer composition contains at least 5 wt.%, more preferably at least 10 wt.%, more preferably at least 15 wt.%, more preferably at least 20 wt.%, of a component that is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar.

The component which is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar can be present in the polymer composition in an amount of between 1 wt.% and 60 wt.%, preferably between 1 wt.% and 45 wt.%, more preferably between 1 wt.% and 30 wt.%, more preferably between 5 wt.% and 30 wt.%, more preferably between 5 wt.% and 15 wt.% or between 15 wt.% and 25 wt.%. The component which is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar can be present in the polymer composition in an amount of between 1 wt% and 30 wt%, preferably between 1 wt% and 25 wt%, more preferably between 1 wt% and 20 wt%, more preferably between 1 wt% and 15 wt%, more preferably between 1 wt% and 10 wt%.

The liquid component may be the further polymer of the polymer composition. Alternatively, the liquid component may be present in the polymer composition in addition to the further polymer.

In general, a polymer disclosed herein may be solid or liquid (solid or liquid state) at 23°C and 1 bar, in particular, a polymer disclosed herein is solid at 23°C and 1 bar.

The liquid component may be a polyalphaolefin. The liquid component may have a kinematic viscosity, determined according to ASTM D445 / ISO 3104, of at least 4 cSt at a temperature of 100 °C. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid component may have a dropping point, determined according to ASTM 5950, of at most -10 °C.

The kinematic viscosity of the liquid component at a temperature of 100 °C, determined according to ASTM D445 / ISO 3104, can be between 4 cSt and 1500 cSt, preferably between 50 cSt and 1000 cSt, more preferably between 120 cSt and 1000 cSt, even more preferably between 250 cSt and 1000 cSt.

The kinematic viscosity of the liquid component at a temperature of 100 °C can also be between 2 cSt and 10 cSt, between 55 cSt and 75 cSt, between 140 cSt and 160 cSt, between 280 cSt and 320 cSt or between 900 cSt and 1100 cSt.

The dropping point of the liquid component can be a maximum of -20 °C or a maximum of 30 °C.

The liquid component may have a density, determined according to ASTM D4052, of up to 0.860 g cm' ³ , in particular between 0.825 g cm' ³ and 0.855 g cm' ³ . The density of the liquid component may also be between 0.840 g cm' ³ and 0.855 g cm' ³ .

The liquid component may have an average molecular weight Mw, determined according to DIN 55672-1, of at least 440 Da, preferably between 440 Da and 12000 Da, particularly preferably between 1000 Da and 10000 Da, even more preferably between 3000 Da and 10000 Da. The liquid component may be a metallocene component. The liquid component may have been prepared by using a metallocene catalyst.

The liquid component may be a Ziegler-Natta component. The liquid component may have been produced by using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

The liquid component can be a homopolymer or a copolymer.

The liquid component can be a homopolymer of a C3 to C22 alpha-olefin. To produce the liquid component as a homopolymer, alpha-olefins with a length of C3 to C22 are used as monomers. Preferably, C6 to C14 alpha-olefins or C8 to C10 alpha-olefins are used as monomers for the liquid component as a homopolymer.

The liquid component may be a 1-octene homopolymer or a 1-decene homopolymer, preferably a 1-decene homopolymer.

As a copolymer, the liquid component is composed of at least two different alpha-olefins of length C3 to C22 as comonomers. Specifically, two different alpha-olefins of length C6 to C14 or C8 to C10 are used as comonomers.

The liquid component can be a bipolymer.

The liquid component may be a synthetic fluid (at 23 °C and 1 bar), in particular the liquid component is a fully synthetic fluid (at 23 °C and 1 bar).

The liquid component may be hydrogenated, in particular the liquid component is fully hydrogenated.

The liquid component may be a mixture of different liquid components. For example, the liquid component may be a mixture of at least two liquid components that differ in their kinematic viscosity and/or in their (co)monomers. For this purpose, at least two of the liquid components disclosed herein may be present as a mixture.

The liquid component may be or comprise a polyalphaolefin. The liquid component may be a mixture of different polyalphaolefins.

The polymer composition may contain at most one polymeric component or exactly one polymeric component. The polymer composition may contain at most two polymeric components or exactly two polymeric components. The polymer composition may contain a maximum of three polymeric components or exactly three polymeric components.

The polymer composition may contain less than 10 wt.% of a component that is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar. In particular, the polymer composition contains less than 5 wt.%, more preferably less than 2 wt.%, of a component that is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar. Most preferably, the polymer composition is free of any component that is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar (within the limits of analytical precision on the filing date).

The polymer composition may contain less than 10 wt.% white oil. In particular, the polymer composition contains less than 5 wt.%, more preferably less than 2 wt.%, white oil. Most preferably, the polymer composition is free of white oil (within the analytical accuracy at the filing date).

The polymer composition may comprise a liquid component, for example polyalphaolefin (as described above), and/or may comprise little or no white oil.

The polymer composition may comprise up to 15 wt%, preferably up to 8 wt%, more preferably up to 6 wt%, most preferably up to 5 wt%, of additives.

Additives in the polymer composition may be selected from the group consisting of: pigments, nucleating agents, brighteners, stabilizers, surfactants, lubricants, antioxidants and combinations thereof.

The polymer composition may have a Shore A hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23°C and a holding time of 15 s, of at least 40. Preferably, the polymer composition has a Shore A hardness of at least 30, preferably at least 40, more preferably at least 50, more preferably at least 60, more preferably at least 70, more preferably at least 80.

The Shore A hardness of the polymer composition may be between 40 and 100, preferably between 40 and 95, more preferably between 50 and 95, more preferably between 60 and 95, more preferably between 60 and 90, or between 65 and 95.

The polymer composition may have a Shore D hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, of less than 80. In particular, the polymer composition has a Shore D hardness of less than 70, more preferably less than 60, more preferably less than 50. The polymer composition may have a compression set (abbreviated: DSR), determined according to ASTM D 395 (ASTM D395B), 70°C, 22 h or 24 h, of at least 50%. In particular, the polymer composition has a compression set of at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 100%, more preferably at least 110%.

The polymer composition may have a compression set (ASTM D395 or ASTM D395B, 70 °C, 22 h or 24 h) of at most 150%, preferably of at most 140%, more preferably of at most 130%, more preferably of at most 120%, more preferably of at most 110%.

The polymer composition may have a compression set (ASTM D395 or ASTM D395B, 70°C, 22 h or 24 h) between 50% and 150%, preferably between 60% and 140%, more preferably between 70% and 130%, more preferably between 80% and 130%, more preferably between 90% and 130%, more preferably between 90% and 120%. Preferably, the compression set (ASTM D395 or ASTM D395B, 70°C, 22 h or 24 h) is between 60% and 110%, more preferably between 70% and 105%.

The polymer composition may have a compression set (ASTM D395 or ASTM D395B, 70 °C, 22 h or 24 h) of at most 50%, preferably of at most 40%, more preferably of at most 30%, more preferably of at most 25%.

The polymer composition may have a compression set (ASTM D395 or ASTM D395B, 70 °C, 22 h or 24 h) between 5% and 50%, preferably between 5% and 40%, more preferably between 10% and 40%, more preferably between 10% and 30%, more preferably between 15% and 25%.

The polymer composition may have a compression set, determined according to ISO 815-1, 70 °C, 22 h or 24 h, of at least 30%. In particular, the

Polymer composition has a compression set of at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%.

The polymer composition may have a compression set (ISO 815-1, 70 °C, 22 h or 24 h) of at most 130%, preferably of at most 120%, more preferably of at most 110%, more preferably of at most 100%, more preferably of at most 90%, more preferably of at most 80%. The polymer composition may have a compression set (ISO 815-1, 70 °C, 22 h or 24 h) between 30% and 130%, preferably between 40% and 120%, more preferably between 50% and 110%, more preferably between 50% and 110%, more preferably between 60% and 110%, more preferably between 70% and 110%, more preferably between 70% and 100%.

The melt flow rate (MVR, melt volume-flow rate) of the polymer composition, determined according to ISO 1133-1 at 190 °C and 2.16 kg, can be in a range of 0.1 cm ³ /10 min and 100 cm ³ /10 min, preferably in a range of 0.1 cm ³ /10 min and 80 cm ³ /10 min, more preferably in a range of 0.1 cm ³ /10 min and 40 cm ³ /10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 cm ³ /10 min and 20 cm ³ /10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 cm ³ /10 min and 10 cm ³ /10 min, more preferably in a range of 3 cm ³ /10 min and 8 cm ³ /10 min, or in a range of 12 cm ³ /10 min and 22 cm ³ /10 min.

The polymer composition may have a static friction coefficient, determined according to ISO 8295 (2 kg, 500 mm min' ¹ ) between 0.05 and 0.50, preferably between 0.10 and 0.50, more preferably between 0.15 and 0.50, more preferably between 0.20 and 0.45, more preferably between 0.20 and 0.40.

The polymer composition may have a dynamic friction coefficient, determined according to ISO 8295 (2 kg, 500 mm min' ¹ ) between 0.05 and 0.50, preferably between 0.10 and 0.50, more preferably between 0.15 and 0.50, more preferably between 0.20 and 0.45, more preferably between 0.20 and 0.40.

The polymer composition can have a total migration, determined according to DIN-EN 1186-14, in particular determined by the immersion method, for example in isooctane or ethanol, of a maximum of 5.5 mg cm' ² . The total migration is preferably a maximum of 3.5 mg cm' ² , more preferably a maximum of 2.5 mg cm' ² , more preferably a maximum of 2.0 mg cm' ² , more preferably a maximum of 1.5 mg cm' ² , more preferably a maximum of 1.0 mg cm' ² , more preferably a maximum of 0.7 mg cm' ² , more preferably a maximum of 0.5 mg cm' ² .

The polymer composition can have an oxygen permeability rate, in particular determined according to DIN 53380-5, of less than 3000 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , preferably of less than 2700 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably of less than 2500 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably of less than 2300 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably of less than 2000 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably of less than 1700 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably of less than 1400 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably of less than 1100 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 800 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 700 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 600 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 500 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 400 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 300 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 200 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 150 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ .

The vessel closure may comprise a carrier and the sealing element. The carrier may comprise a flat portion and a skirt portion. Specifically, the carrier may comprise metal, plastic, or metal and plastic. In particular, the main component of the carrier is metal or plastic, in particular metal.

The vessel closure can be a screw closure. Preferably, the vessel closure is a cam-twist closure. The vessel closure can also be a press-on twist-off vessel closure or a composite closure.

A disclosed vessel closure device can close a vessel. The vessel comprises a vessel mouth and a closable opening at the end of the vessel mouth. This opening can be closed by one of the disclosed vessel closure devices.

The container can be a glass container, a plastic container, or a metal container. In particular, the container is a glass container.

The vessel closure, which closes the opening of the vessel, can comprise a carrier and the sealing element. The carrier can have a lower side, and the vessel mouth can have an upper end. The sealing element of the vessel closure is typically clamped between the vessel mouth and the carrier of the vessel closure, such that the sealing element bears against both the upper end of the vessel mouth and the lower side of the carrier. Specifically, the height of the sealing element between the upper end of the vessel mouth and the lower side of the carrier is a maximum of 1.0 mm. Preferably, this height is a maximum of 0.8 mm, and particularly preferably a maximum of 0.7 mm. The height can be determined in the axial direction of the vessel.

Analogously, the height of the sealing element between the upper end of the vessel mouth and the lower side of the support can be at least 0.2 mm. Specifically, the height is at least 0.4 mm and particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm. The height of the sealing element can be measured in the axial direction of the vessel.

Particularly preferably, the height of the sealing element between the upper end of the vessel mouth and the lower side of the carrier is between 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm.

For example, if the height of the sealing element before applying the vessel closure to a vessel is 1.2 mm, an impression of the upper end of the vessel mouth into the sealing element (height between the upper end of the vessel mouth and lower side of the carrier of a maximum of 1.0 mm) without the sealing element being cut through (height of the sealing element between the upper end of the vessel mouth and the lower side of the carrier of at least 0.2 mm) for a high tightness of the vessel closed with the vessel closure.

Preferably, a vacuum prevails in the closed vessel. The absolute pressure in the closed vessel can be a maximum of 200 hPa. Specifically, the absolute pressure in the sealed vessel is a maximum of 100 hPa.

The vessel sealed with the vessel closure can have a maximum safety dimension of 10 mm, specifically, the maximum safety dimension is 8 mm. Preferably, the maximum safety dimension is 6 mm. Most preferably, the maximum safety dimension is 4 mm.

To determine the safety factor, a vessel closed with a cam-type screw cap is stored at room temperature (23 °C) for a period of 30 minutes. The relative position of the vessel closure to the vessel is marked by placing a mark on the vessel closure skirt and the vessel wall such that the circumferential distance between the mark on the vessel closure skirt and the vessel wall is zero. The marks lie on a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The vessel closure is then completely removed from the vessel by unscrewing it. The vessel closure is then placed on the vessel and tightened until slight resistance is felt. The vessel closure is therefore tightened finger-tight. The circumferential distance between the mark on the vessel closure skirt and the mark on the vessel wall is then measured. The measured distance corresponds to the safety factor expressed in mm.

Due to the steep pitch of the threads of vessels and cam-type screw caps, at least in some sections, the precision of measuring the safety margin is high, as the point at which slight resistance is felt (finger-tight) when tightening the vessel closure can be precisely determined. Typically, the precision of measuring the safety margin on closed vessels sealed under identical conditions by different people is approximately ±1 mm.

An appropriate safety factor ensures that the sealing element exerts an elastic force on at least the upper end of the vessel mouth when the vessel is closed with the vessel closure. This results in a high degree of tightness of the interior of the closed vessel. The opening of the vessel may have a diameter of at least 20 mm. In particular, the diameter of the opening of the vessel may not exceed 120 mm.

The container can be a glass container, plastic container or metal container.

Before the vessel opening is sealed with the vessel closure, the vessel closure can be treated at a temperature of at least 90 °C. Such treatment can be carried out, for example, with steam.

A headspace may be formed in the container after the container has been filled with the food. The headspace in the container is the portion of the container's contents after filling where no food is present. Steam may be supplied to the headspace before the container closure is applied to the container, thereby sealing the opening of the container. In particular, the steam may be water vapor.

The absolute pressure in the sealed and filled vessel can be a maximum of 200 hPa. Specifically, the pressure in the sealed and filled vessel can be a maximum of 100 hPa.

To create an impression of the vessel mouth in the sealing element, the sealing element can be deformed by at least 0.2 mm in the axial direction of the vessel during the closing of the vessel opening with the vessel closure and/or during a thermal treatment of the closed and filled vessel. This deformation of the sealing element is preferably at least 0.4 mm. Specifically, the deformation is at least 0.5 mm.

Similarly, the sealing element can be deformed by a maximum of 1.0 mm to form an impression of the vessel mouth into the sealing element during the closure of the vessel opening with the vessel closure and/or during thermal treatment of the closed and filled vessel. In particular, the deformation is a maximum of 0.8 mm. More preferably, the deformation is a maximum of 0.7 mm. This is always in the axial direction of the vessel.

Particularly preferably, the deformation of the sealing element is between 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm.

The food can be filled into the container aseptically.

The food can also be filled into the container at a maximum temperature of 10 °C. The food can also be filled into the container at a temperature between 10 °C and 70 °C.

Likewise, the food can be filled into the container at a temperature between 70 °C and 98 °C.

Within the process, the sealed and filled container can be thermally treated. The temperature of the thermal treatment is higher than the temperature of the (solid and/or liquid) food during filling.

The thermal treatment can be carried out at a temperature of at least 60 °C.

The thermal treatment can also be carried out at a maximum temperature of 135°C (between 60°C and 135°C). In particular, the thermal treatment is carried out at a temperature of up to 135°C (between 60°C and 135°C) at an absolute ambient pressure of no more than 4.0 bar, preferably at an absolute ambient pressure between 1.0 bar and 4.0 bar.

Preferably, the pressure in the sealed vessel during a thermal treatment is lower than the pressure outside the sealed vessel.

The embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example, but not in a manner that would transfer or read limitations from the figures into the claims. Like reference numerals in the figures indicate like elements.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a cam-type rotary closure 1 with an annular sealing element 3, partly in section;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the cam screw closure 1 with the sealing element 3 on a vessel 5, partly in section;

Figure 3 shows the cam-operated rotary closure 1 with the sealing element 3 in a bottom view;

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a composite closure 61 (Combi-Twist);

Figure 5 shows a partial axial section of the composite closure 61 (Combi-Twist) of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a side view of a press-on twist-off closure 21 (PT closure) with a sealing element 23, partly in section; Figure ? shows a side view of the PT closure 21 with the sealing element 23 on a vessel 25, partly in section;

Figure 8 shows a top view of the PT closure 21;

Figure 9 shows a side view of a composite closure 41 (Band-Guard) with a sealing element 43, partly in section;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the composite closure 41 (Band-Guard) with the sealing element 43 on a vessel 45, partly in section;

Figure 11 shows a top view of the composite closure 41 (Band-Guard);

Figure 12 shows an enlarged section of the cam-type rotary closure of Figure 2.

Figures 1 and 3 show a cam-type screw cap 1. The cam-type screw cap 1 can comprise a metallic carrier 11 and can comprise a sealing element 3. In the illustration in Figure 2, the cam-type screw cap 1 is applied to a container 5. A curl 9 can be formed at the lower end of the cam-type screw cap 1. Several cams 7 can be formed circumferentially distributed from the edge curl, in particular curl 9. Cams 7 can be formed by an axial deformation of the curl 9 and can extend radially further toward the center of the cam-type screw cap 1 than the curl 9. The cam-type screw cap 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 comprises four cams 7, which can be evenly distributed circumferentially. The sections partially illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 correspond to section III-III in Figure 3.

In general, the vessel closure may have at least three cams, preferably at least four cams, more preferably at least six cams. The vessel closure may have three to six cams.

Near the radially outer end portion of the cam-lock fastener 1, a channel 2 may be formed in the upper portion 10 of the carrier 11. The sealing element 3 may be at least partially disposed in the channel 2. In this embodiment, the sealing element 3 is annular; in other embodiments, the sealing element 3 may be disc-shaped, particularly when the diameter of the cam-lock fastener is small (e.g., a maximum of 30 mm).

To promote adhesion between the metallic carrier 11 and the sealing element 3, an adhesive varnish can be applied to the side of the metallic carrier 11 that is in contact with the sealing element 3. In Figure 2, the cam-type screw cap 1 is applied to a vessel 5. The vessel 5 may include a vessel mouth 5a as the upper portion of the vessel 5. The vessel mouth may include a thread 6 and may include an upper end 4 of the vessel mouth 5a. The thread 6 may be formed circumferentially in the region of the vessel mouth 5a and may extend circumferentially upwards or downwards (depending on the viewing angle).

To apply the cam-type screw cap 1 to a vessel 5, cams 7 can be brought into contact with portions of the thread 6, and the cam-type screw cap 1 can be rotated clockwise relative to the vessel 5. Due to the design of the thread 6 and the interaction of the cams 7 with the thread 6, the upper end 4 of the vessel mouth 5a can move toward the sealing element 3 during the rotational movement of the cam-type screw cap 1 relative to the vessel 5. By further rotating the cam-type screw cap 1, the upper end 4 of the vessel mouth 5a can press into the sealing element 3 and can deform it, so that a portion of the upper end 4 of the vessel mouth 5a can be covered by the sealing element 3, whereby the vessel 5 can be tightly closed. A tight closure of the vessel 5 is particularly necessary to withstand increased pressure during thermal treatment of the closed vessel 5 at temperatures above 70 °C, 90 °C or even above 120 °C.

The cam-type screw cap 1, as depicted in Figures 1 to 3, can comprise a safety element, preferably a (flat) safety button 10b, formed in the upper portion 10 of the carrier 11. The button 10b is optional. Due to the slope 10a in the upper portion 10 of the carrier 11, the button 10b can fold toward the center of the container when a sufficiently large vacuum exists in the container. Such a vacuum can be created by introducing steam into the container before closing the container with the cap.

If a consumer opens the container by removing the closure, the pressure inside the container rises to ambient pressure and the button 10b folds away from the center of the container. The folding of the button 10b is accompanied by a characteristic sound, which allows the consumer to recognize that a vacuum existed in the container before the container was opened.

Figures 4 and 5 show a composite closure 61 (Combi-Twist) which, analogous to the described cam-twist closure 1, can be applied to a vessel by a rotating movement and can be removed from the vessel by a rotating movement. The composite closure 61 may include a carrier having an upper metallic portion 71 and may include a plastic portion 72 formed in an L-shape. A channel 78 may be formed near the radial end of the metallic portion 71 of the carrier, and a curl 77 may be formed at the radial end of the metallic portion 71. A sealing element may be disposed at least partially within the channel 78.

A plurality of threaded elements 74a, 74b formed on the inside of the plastic section 72 can contact or engage with a mating thread in the region of the mouth of a vessel (not shown) to which the composite closure 61 is to be applied. The plastic section 72 of the composite closure 61 can comprise a tamper-evident device 73, which is configured similarly to the tamper-evident device shown in Figures 9 to 11 and will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

If the composite closure 61 is screwed onto a vessel by a rotating movement, an analogous interaction of the vessel mouth with the sealing element of the composite closure 61 occurs, as described with reference to the cam-turn closure 1.

Figures 6 to 8 depict a press-on twist-off closure 21 (PT closure). The PT closure 21 may comprise a metallic carrier 31 with a curl 29 at the lower end of the carrier 31. The PT closure 21 may comprise a button 30a in the upper portion 30 of the carrier 31. The button 30a is optional.

A sealing element 23 can be formed both in the region of the upper section 30 of the carrier 31 and to a significant extent (at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, or at least 60% of the total volume of the sealing element) on the skirt of the carrier, which extends downward from the upper section 30 of the carrier 31. In contrast to the cam-type screw closure 1 and the composite closure 61, the PT closure 21 can be pressed onto the vessel mouth 25a when applied to a vessel 25. During the pressing onto the vessel mouth 25a, the sealing element 23 can be sufficiently soft to elastically enclose threaded elements 26 of the vessel mouth 25a. Typically, the sealing element 23 is treated with steam before applying the PT closure 21 to a vessel 5 in order to achieve the necessary softness of the sealing element 23. After cooling the sealing element 23, a counter thread in the form of a negative of the threaded elements 26 of the vessel mouth can be formed in the sealing element 23.

An upper end 24 of the vessel mouth 25a can contact the sealing element 23. To open the vessel 25, the PT closure 21 can be removed from the vessel 25 by a rotating movement.

Figures 9 to 11 show a composite closure 41 (Band-Guard) which functions analogously to the described PT closure 21.

The composite closure 41 can comprise a carrier with a metallic portion 51 and a plastic portion 52. The composite closure 41 can comprise a tamper-evident device 53. The composite closure 41 can comprise an optional button 50a. The tamper-evident device 53 can be configured such that it can be removed from the remaining composite closure 41 when the composite closure 41 is removed from a container 45, and can serve to enable a consumer to verify whether the composite closure 41 has already been removed from the container 45. The button 50a can be configured and functional in a similar way to the button 10b of the cam-type twist closure 1.

The plastic portion of the composite closure 41 may include a plurality of axially extending indentations 56 to increase the stability of the closure.

A sealing element 43 can be arranged in the composite closure 41 such that it contacts both the metallic portion 51 and the plastic portion 52. To close a vessel 45, the composite closure 41 can be pressed onto the vessel mouth 45a of the vessel 45 so that at least the upper end 44 of the vessel mouth 45a can contact the sealing element 43.

The plastic portion 52 of the carrier may include a plurality of offset projections 54 that can interact with threaded elements 46 of the vessel mouth 45a. To open a vessel 45 sealed with the composite closure 41, the composite closure 41 can be rotated relative to the vessel 45.

The distance ha of a sealing element 3 between an upper end 4 of a vessel mouth 5a of a vessel 5 and the lower side of a support 11 of the closure 1 is illustrated in Figure 12 with a view to a cam-type screw closure 1 and described here. The distance (height) ha can be determined analogously for other closure types.

The sealing element 3 clamped between the vessel mouth 5 and the support 11 of the vessel closure 1 can have a height hs, which is given when a vessel 5 is closed with the closure 1. If the height ha is too small, the sealing element 3 may be threatened with being cut through or may be cut through, which may impair the tightness of the closed vessel 5. If the height ha is too large, the tightness of the closed vessel may be impaired, since the contact surface between the upper end 4 of the The gap between the vessel mouth 5a and the sealing element 3 is not sufficiently large. In order to achieve a suitable impression of the upper end 4 of the vessel mouth 5a into the sealing element, the composition of the sealing element 3 is crucial.

First examples

Examples of polymer compositions for sealing elements in a vessel closure are shown in the following tables.

Table 1 Table 2

Table 3

Table 4 C3C2C4 I is a propene-ethene-1-butene copolymer (terpolymer) with a Shore A hardness of approximately 72 and a melting temperature of approximately 160 °C. The propene-ethene-1-butene copolymer is available from Mitsui Chemicals, for example, from the Tafmer series.

C3C2C4 II is a propene-ethene-1-butene copolymer (terpolymer) with a Shore A hardness of approximately 75 and a melting temperature of approximately 140 °C. The propene-ethene-1-butene copolymer is available from Mitsui Chemicals, for example, from the Tafmer series.

C3C2C4 III is a propene-ethene-1-butene copolymer (terpolymer) with a Shore A hardness of approximately 84 and a melting temperature of approximately 160 °C. The propene-ethene-1-butene copolymer is available from Mitsui Chemicals, for example, from the Tafmer series.

C4C2 is a 1-butene-ethene copolymer with a 1-butene content of more than 80%. The density is approximately 0.870 g cm' ³ . The Shore A hardness is approximately 60. The 1-butene-ethene copolymer is available from LyondellBasell. Specifically, the 1-butene-ethene copolymer is the Koattro series.

C2C7 1 is a cycloolefin copolymer of the monomers ethene and norbornene (bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene). The Shore A hardness is approximately 89. The glass transition temperature Tg is approximately 6 °C (determined by ISO 11357-1, -2, -3, 10 °C/min). The density is approximately 0.940 g cm' ³ . The cycloolefin copolymer is available from TOPAS Advanced Polymers.

C2C8 is an ethene-1-octene copolymer with a Shore A hardness of approximately 54 and a density of approximately 0.857 g cm' ³ . The ethene-1-octene copolymer is available from Dow Chemical.

C2C7 II is a cycloolefin copolymer of the monomers ethene and norbornene (bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene). The Shore D hardness is approximately 77. The glass transition temperature Tg is approximately 65 °C (determined by ISO 11357-1, -2, -3, 10 °C/min). The density is approximately 0.980 g ern' ³ . The cycloolefin copolymer is available from TOPAS Advanced Polymers. C3C2 is a propene-ethene copolymer with a density of approximately 0.900 g cm' ³ . The propene-ethene copolymer is available from LyondellBasell.

C3C4 I is a propene-1-butene copolymer (bipolymer) with a Shore D hardness of approximately 52 and a melting temperature of approximately 75 °C. The propene-1-butene copolymer is available from Mitsui Chemicals, for example, from the Tafmer series.

C3C4 II is a propene-1-butene copolymer (bipolymer) with a Shore D hardness of approximately 55 and a melting temperature of approximately 83 °C. The propene-1-butene copolymer is available from Mitsui Chemicals, for example, from the Tafmer series.

PAO is a (metallocene) polyalphaolefin (1-decene homopolymer) with a kinematic viscosity at 100 °C of approximately 65 cSt. The polyalphaolefin is available from ExxonMobil Chemical.

The melting temperature T _m can be determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10 °C min' ¹ .

The second heating curve is performed shortly after the first heating curve (for example, the second heating curve is performed within one day, or within 8 hours, or 2 hours after the first heating curve). The first heating curve removes the thermal history. The second heating curve is therefore performed in such a way that the sample does not have any significant thermal history. For the measurement, a sample is weighed (5-10 mg) and sealed in an aluminum dish. The sample is heated to 200 °C with a temperature ramp (heating rate) of 10 °C/min. The sample is held at 200 °C for 5 minutes to allow complete melting of all crystallites and thus remove the sample's thermal history. After cooling to -20 °C with a temperature ramp of 10 °C/min, the peak temperature can be measured as the crystallization temperature. After the sample has been stored at -20 °C for 5 min, it is heated a second time to 200 °C at a temperature ramp of 10 °C/min. During this second heating curve, the peak temperature, if present, is determined as the melting temperature T _m .

Alternatively or additionally with the specifications described above (second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10 °C min' ¹ ), the melting temperature T _m can be determined according to DIN EN ISO 11357-3.

In general, no specific component is necessarily present in the polymer composition. In particular, an increased occurrence of a component in the examples is not an indication This component must be included in the polymer composition. Rather, components can be omitted from the compositions of the examples or replaced by other components. Components can also be added.

The weight proportions of the components in the compositions and the properties of the compositions of the examples are exemplary. The disclosure is not limited to the values of the weight proportions of the components and/or the values of the properties of the examples.

Norms or standards for measuring (physical) properties mentioned in this application may refer to the version valid on the priority date or filing date of the application. Norms, standards or methods for measuring

Measurement of (physical) properties that are described in one place for the (physical) property also apply to the (physical) properties that are described elsewhere without explicit mention of a norm, standard or procedure.

Further examples

Examples are shown below as embodiments, where the preceding number represents the number of the example.

1. A vessel closure (1, 21, 41, 61) having a sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63), wherein the sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63) comprises a polymer composition, wherein:

(a) the polymer composition comprises a propene copolymer; and

(bl) the Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range of 30 to 95, and/or

(b2) the melting temperature of the propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, is in a range from 110°C to 200°C.

2. Vessel closure according to Example 1, wherein the Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range from 50 to 95, preferably in a range from 60 to 90.

3. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the melting temperature of the propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10 °C/min, is in a range from 130 °C to 200 °C, preferably in a range from 130 °C to 165 °C, more preferably in a range from 130 °C to 180 °C.

4. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the melt flow rate (MFR) of the propene copolymer, determined according to ASTM Dl 238 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, is in a range of 0.1 g/10 min and 100 g/10 min, preferably in a range of

1 g/10 min and 80 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 60 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 2 g/10 min and 50 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 4 g/10 min and 40 g/10 min.

5. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the comonomer content of propene in the propene copolymer is at least 40 mol%, preferably at least

50 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 70 mol%, more preferably at least 80 mol%.

6. A vessel closure according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the propene copolymer comprises at least one second comonomer, wherein the second comonomer is a C4 to C16 (alpha-)olefin, preferably a C4 to C12 (alpha-)olefin, more preferably a C4 to C8 (alpha-)olefin, more preferably 1-butene. Vessel closure according to Example 6, wherein the comonomer content of the second comonomer in the propene copolymer is at most 20 mol%, preferably at most 15 mol%, more preferably at most 10 mol%, more preferably at most 7 mol%. Vessel closure according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the propene copolymer comprises a third comonomer, wherein the third comonomer is ethene. Vessel closure according to Example 6, wherein the comonomer content of the third comonomer in the propene copolymer is at most 40 mol%, preferably at most 30 mol%, more preferably at most 20 mol%, more preferably at most 15 mol%. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the propene copolymer comprises at least a second and a third comonomer, wherein the second and the third comonomer are different monomers selected from C2, or C4 to C16 (alpha-)olefin, preferably from C2, or C4 to C12 (alpha-)olefin, more preferably from C2, or C4 to C8 (alpha-)olefin, more preferably from C2, or C4 to C6 (alpha-)olefin, more preferably the second comonomer is 1-butene and the third comonomer is ethene. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the propene copolymer is a terpolymer. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the propene copolymer has isotactic polypropene sections. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the propene copolymer is a random copolymer. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the propene copolymer comprises at least 5 wt. %, preferably at least 10 wt. %, preferably at least

20 wt.%, more preferably at least 30 wt.%, more preferably at least 40 wt.%, more preferably at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, more preferably at least 80 wt.%, more preferably at least 90 wt.%, is contained in the polymer composition. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition contains at least one further polymer or wherein the polymer composition contains at most one further polymer, in particular wherein the further polymer is a polyolefin. Vessel closure according to example 15, wherein the further polymer is a homopolymer or a copolymer, in particular a bipolymer. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition comprises a further propene copolymer; and in particular the Shore D hardness of the further propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23°C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range from 20 to 75, and/or the melting temperature of the further propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, is in a range from 30°C to 110°C. Vessel closure according to Example 17, wherein the Shore D hardness of the further propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23°C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range from 30 to 70, preferably in a range from 40 to 60. Vessel closure according to example 17 or 18, wherein the melting temperature of the further propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10 °C/min, is in a range from 40 °C to 110 °C, preferably in a range from 50 °C to 100 °C, more preferably in a range from 50 °C to 90 °C, more preferably in a range from 60 °C to 90 °C, more preferably in a range from 70 °C to 90 °C. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 19, wherein the melt flow rate (MFR) of the further propene copolymer, determined according to ASTM D1 238 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, is in a range from 0.1 g/10 min to 100 g/10 min, preferably in a range from

1 g/10 min and 80 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 40 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 2 g/10 min and 20 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 4 g/10 min and 10 g/10 min. Vessel closure according to any one of Examples 17 to 20, wherein the melt flow rate (MFR) of the further propene copolymer, determined according to ASTM D1 238 at 190 °C and 2.16 kg, is in a range of 0.1 g/10 min and 100 g/10 min, preferably in a range of 0.1 g/10 min and 60 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and

40 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 20 g/10 min, more preferably in a range of 1 g/10 min and 5 g/10 min. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 21, wherein the comonomer content of propene in the further propene copolymer is at least 40 mol%, preferably at least 50 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 70 mol%, more preferably at least 80 mol%. 23. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 21, wherein the further propene copolymer comprises a second comonomer, wherein the second comonomer is a C2 or C4 to C16 (alpha)olefin, preferably a C2 or C4 to C12 (alpha)olefin, more preferably a C2 or C4 to C8 (alpha)olefin, more preferably 1-butene.

24. Vessel closure according to Example 23, wherein the comonomer content of the second comonomer in the further propene copolymer is at most 40 mol%, preferably at most 30 mol%, more preferably at most 25 mol%, more preferably at most 20 mol%.

25. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 24, wherein the further propene copolymer is a bipolymer.

26. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 25, wherein the further propene copolymer has isotactic polypropene sections.

27. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 26, wherein the further propene copolymer is a random copolymer.

28. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 27, wherein the further propene copolymer is present in the polymer composition at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight.

29. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 17 to 28, wherein the further propene copolymer is present in the polymer composition at a maximum of 50% by weight, preferably at a maximum of 40% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 30% by weight.

30. A vessel closure according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition comprises a cycloolefin polymer.

31. Vessel closure according to example 30, wherein the cycloolefin polymer has a Shore A hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, of at least 40, preferably at least 50, more preferably at least 60, more preferably at least 70.

32. Vessel closure according to one of examples 30 or 31, wherein the cycloolefin polymer has a Shore D hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23°C and a holding time of 15 s, of at least 20, preferably at least 30, more preferably at least 40, more preferably at least 50, more preferably at least 60, most preferably at least 70.

33. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 30 to 32, wherein the cycloolefin polymer has a density, determined according to ISO 1183, of at least 0.850 g cm' ³ , preferably at least 0.870 g cm' ³ , more preferably of at least 0.890 g cm' ³ , more preferably of at least 0.910 g cm' ³ , more preferably of at least 0.930 g cm' ³ , more preferably of at least 0.950 g cm' ³ , more preferably of at least 0.970 g cm' ³ , more preferably of at least 0.990 g cm' ³ , more preferably of at least 1.010 g cm' ³ , most preferably between 0.920 g cm' ³ and 1.050 g cm' ³ .

34. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 30 to 33, wherein the cycloolefin polymer has a glass transition temperature, determined according to ISO 11357-1, -2, -3, 10 °C/min, of at least -20 °C, preferably at least 0 °C, more preferably at least 3 °C, more preferably at least 40 °C, more preferably at least 60 °C.

35. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 30 to 34, wherein a (co)monomer of the cycloolefin polymer is a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin, preferably the (co)monomer is a monocyclic or polycyclic C3 to C20 olefin, more preferably a monocyclic or polycyclic C5 to C20 olefin, more preferably a monocyclic or polycyclic C7 to C17 olefin, more preferably a monocyclic or polycyclic C7 to C12 olefin, more preferably a monocyclic or polycyclic C7 olefin, most preferably norbomen.

36. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 30 to 35, wherein the cycloolefin polymer is prepared by ring-maintaining or ring-opening polymerization.

37. The vascular closure of any one of examples 30 to 36, wherein the cycloolefin polymer is a cycloolefin copolymer.

38. The vessel closure of Example 37, wherein a (co)monomer of the cycloolefin copolymer is a C2 to C10 (alpha)olefin, preferably a C2 to C8 (alpha)olefin, more preferably a C2 to C6 (alpha)olefin, most preferably ethene.

39. Vessel closure according to example 37 or 38, wherein a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin as comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer has a comonomer content of at least 10 mol%, preferably of at least 20 mol%, more preferably of at least

40 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 65 mol%.

40. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 37 to 39, wherein ethene as comonomer of the cycloolefin copolymer has a comonomer content of at most 90 mol%, preferably of at most 80 mol%, more preferably of at most 60 mol%, more preferably of at most 40 mol%, more preferably of at most 35 mol%.

41. A vascular closure according to any one of examples 30 to 40, wherein the cycloolefin polymer is an ethene-norbornene copolymer. Vessel closure according to any one of Examples 30 to 41, wherein the cycloolefin polymer is present between 10 wt% and 95 wt%, preferably between 20 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between 30 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between 40 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between 50 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between

60 wt.% and 80 wt.%, is contained in the polymer composition. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 30 to 42, wherein a monocyclic or polycyclic olefin in the cycloolefin polymer has a proportion of at least 2 mol%, preferably at least 5 mol%, more preferably at least 10 mol%, more preferably at least 20 mol%, more preferably at least 40 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, more preferably at least 65 mol%. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 30 to 43, wherein exactly one monomer or at most one monomer has been used to produce the cycloolefin polymer. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 30 to 44, wherein the cycloolefin polymer comprises a monocyclic C5 unit. Vessel closure according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition comprises a random or block copolymer. Vessel closure according to Example 46, wherein ethene and at least one C3 to C8 (alpha-)olefin are comonomers of the random or block copolymer, more preferably wherein ethene and at least one C3 to C8 (alpha-)olefin are comonomers of the random or block copolymer. Vessel closure according to Example 47, wherein ethene as a comonomer of the random or block copolymer has a comonomer content of more than 50 mol%, preferably more than 60 mol%, more preferably more than 70 mol%. Vessel closure according to one of Examples 47 or 48, wherein ethene and a C3 to C8 (alpha-)olefin, preferably ethene and a C3 to C8 (alpha-)olefin, are comonomers of the random or block copolymer, most preferably the copolymer is an ethene-1-octene block copolymer or a random ethene-1-octene copolymer. Vessel closure according to Example 46, wherein ethene as comonomer of the random or block copolymer has a comonomer content of less than 50 mol%, preferably less than 40 mol%, more preferably less than 30 mol%, more preferably less than

20 mol-%. Vessel closure according to Example 50, wherein a C3 to C16(alpha-)olefin and ethene, preferably a C3 to C8(alpha-)olefin and ethene, comonomers of the random or block copolymer lymers, most preferably the further polymer is a (random) 1-butene-ethene copolymer or a (random) propene-ethene copolymer.

52. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 46 to 51, wherein the random or block copolymer is present in the polymer composition at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 20% by weight.

53. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 46 to 52, wherein the random or block copolymer is present in the polymer composition at a maximum of 70 wt.%, preferably at a maximum of 60 wt.%, more preferably at a maximum of 50 wt.%, more preferably at a maximum of 40 wt.%, more preferably at a maximum of 30 wt.%, more preferably at a maximum of 20 wt.%.

54. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition contains up to 60 wt.%, preferably up to 45 wt.%, more preferably up to 30 wt.%, more preferably up to 20 wt.%, of a component which is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar, in particular wherein the liquid component is present in the polymer composition to at least 1 wt.% or at least 5 wt.%.

55. A vessel closure according to Example 54, wherein the liquid component contains or is a polyalphaolefin having a kinematic viscosity, determined according to ASTM D445 / ISO 3104, of at least 4 cSt, at a temperature of 100 °C, and/or having a dropping point, determined according to ASTM 5950, of at most -10 °C.

56. The vessel closure of Example 55, wherein the polyalphaolefin has a kinematic viscosity at a temperature of 100°C, determined according to ASTM D445 / ISO 3104, between 4 cSt and 1500 cSt, preferably between 50 cSt and 1000 cSt, more preferably between 120 cSt and 1000 cSt, even more preferably between 250 cSt and 1000 cSt.

57. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 55 or 56, wherein the polyalphaolefin has a dropping point, determined according to ASTM 5950, of at most -20°C, preferably of at most -30°C.

58. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 55 to 57, wherein the polyalphaolefin has a density, determined according to ASTM D4052, of up to 0.860 g cm' ³ , in particular between 0.825 g cm' ³ and 0.855 g cm' ³ .

59. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 55 to 58, wherein the polyalphaolefin has an average molecular weight Mw, determined according to DIN 55672-1, of at least 440 Da, preferably between 440 Da and 12,000 Da, particularly preferably between 1,000 Da and 10,000 Da, even more preferably between 3,000 Da and 10,000 Da. 60. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 55 to 59, wherein the polyalphaolefin is a metallocene polyalphaolefin, in particular the polyalphaolefin was prepared using a metallocene catalyst.

61. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 55 to 60, wherein the polyalphaolefin is a homopolymer or a copolymer, in particular the polyalphaolefin comprises a C3 to C22 alpha-olefin as (co)monomer.

62. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 55 to 61, wherein the polyalphaolefin comprises a C6 to C14 alpha-olefin, preferably a C8 to C10 alpha-olefin, as (co)monomer.

63. A vessel closure according to any one of examples 55 to 62, wherein the polyalphaolefin is a decene homopolymer, in particular a 1-decene homopolymer.

64. Vessel closure according to any one of examples 1 to 54, wherein the polymer composition contains less than 10 wt.%, preferably less than 5 wt.%, more preferably less than 2 wt.%, of a component which is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar, most preferably the polymer composition is free of a component which is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar.

65. A vessel closure according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition comprises up to 15 wt.%, preferably up to 8 wt.%, more preferably up to 6 wt.%, most preferably up to 5 wt.%, of additives.

66. A vessel closure according to the preceding example, wherein the additives are selected from the group consisting of: pigments, nucleating agents, brighteners, stabilizers, surfactants, lubricants, antioxidants and combinations thereof.

67. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition has a Shore A hardness, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, of at least 40, preferably at least 50, more preferably at least 60, more preferably at least 70, more preferably at least 80.

68. Vessel closure according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition has a compression set, determined according to ASTM D 395, 70°C, 22 h, of at least 50%, preferably of at least 60%, more preferably of at least 70%, more preferably of at least 80%, more preferably of at least 90%.

69. Vascular closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition has a total migration, determined according to DIN-EN 1186-14, of at most 5.5 mg cm' ² , preferably of at most 3.5 mg cm' ² , more preferably of at most 2.5 mg cm' ² , more preferably of at most 1.5 mg cm' ² , more preferably of at most 1.0 mg cm' ² , more preferably of at most 0.7 mg cm' ² . Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition has an oxygen permeability rate of less than 3000 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , preferably less than 2500 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 2000 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 1700 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 1400 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 1100 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 800 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than

700 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 600 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 500 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 400 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ , more preferably less than 300 cm ³ m' ² d' ¹ bar' ¹ . Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition does not comprise homopolypropene. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the polymer composition does not comprise SEBS. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the vessel closure comprises a carrier (11, 31, 51, 71) and the sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63), wherein the carrier (11, 31, 51, 71) comprises metal and/or plastic, in particular metal or plastic as the main component. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the vessel closure (1, 21, 41, 61) is a screw closure, in particular a cam-twist closure (1), a press-on-twist-off closure (21), or a composite closure (41, 61). Vessel (5, 25, 45) with a vessel mouth (5a, 25a, 45a) and a closable opening at the end of the vessel mouth, wherein the opening is closed with a vessel closure (1, 21, 41, 61) according to one of the preceding examples. Vessel according to example 75, wherein the vessel closure comprises a carrier (11, 31, 51, 71) and the sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63), and wherein the sealing element has a height (ha) of at most 1.0 mm, preferably at most 0.8 mm, particularly preferably at most 0.7 mm, in the axial direction of the vessel between an upper end (4, 24, 44) of the vessel mouth and a lower side of the carrier (11, 31, 51, 71). Vessel according to example 75 or 76, wherein the vessel closure comprises a carrier (11, 31, 51, 71) and the sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63), and wherein the sealing element has a height (hs) of at least 0.2 mm, preferably at least

0.4 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm, in the axial direction of the vessel. 78. A vessel according to any one of examples 75 to 77, wherein the vessel has a safety dimension of a maximum of 10 mm, preferably a maximum of 8 mm, particularly preferably a maximum of 6 mm, most preferably a maximum of 4 mm.

79. A method for producing a sealed and filled vessel, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a vessel (1, 21, 41, 61) having a vessel mouth (5a, 25a, 45a) and a closable opening at the end of the vessel mouth;

(b) filling the container with a food product through the opening of the container;

(c) closing the opening of the vessel with a vessel closure according to any one of the preceding examples.

80. The method of Example 79, wherein the vessel closure is treated at a temperature of at least 90°C before the opening of the vessel is closed with the vessel closure.

81. The method according to any one of examples 79 or 80, wherein the absolute pressure in the closed and filled vessel is not more than 200 hPa, preferably not more than 100 hPa.

82. The method according to any one of examples 79 to 81, wherein the sealing element of the vessel closure is deformed by at least 0.2 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm, in the axial direction of the vessel during the closing of the opening of the vessel with the vessel closure and/or a thermal treatment of the closed and filled vessel to form an impression of the vessel mouth in the sealing element.

83. The method according to any one of examples 79 to 82, wherein the sealing element of the vessel closure is deformed by a maximum of 1.0 mm, preferably a maximum of 0.8 mm, particularly preferably a maximum of 0.7 mm, in the axial direction of the vessel during the closing of the opening of the vessel with the vessel closure and/or a thermal treatment of the closed and filled vessel to form an impression of the vessel mouth in the sealing element.

Claims

Silgan Holdings Inc., Case: 057362 EP Claims 1. A vessel closure (1, 21, 41, 61) having a sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63), wherein the sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63) comprises a polymer composition, wherein: (a) the polymer composition comprises a propene copolymer; and (b) the Shore A hardness of the propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23 °C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range of 30 to 95. 2. Vessel closure according to claim 1, wherein the melting temperature of the propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, is in a range of 110°C to 200°C. 3. A vessel closure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the propene copolymer comprises at least one second comonomer, wherein the second comonomer is a C4 to C16 (alpha-)olefin, preferably a C4 to C12 (alpha-)olefin, more preferably a C4 to C8 (alpha-)olefin, more preferably 1-butene. 4. A vascular closure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the propene copolymer comprises at least a third comonomer, wherein the third comonomer is ethene. 5. Vascular closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the propene copolymer is present in the polymer composition at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, more preferably at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight. 6. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer composition comprises a further propene copolymer; and in particular the Shore D hardness of the further propene copolymer, determined according to DIN ISO 7619 at a temperature of 23°C and a holding time of 15 s, is in a range from 20 to 75, and/or the melting temperature of the further propene copolymer, determined by a second heating curve of a DSC measurement at a heating rate of 10°C/min, is in a range from 30°C to 110°C. Silgan Holdings Inc., Case: 057362 EP 7. Vessel closure according to claim 6, wherein the further propene copolymer is present in a proportion of at most 50% by weight, preferably at most 40% by weight, more preferably at most 30 wt.%, is contained in the polymer composition. 8. A vascular closure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer composition comprises a cycloolefin polymer. 9. A vessel closure according to claim 8, wherein the cycloolefin polymer is between 5 wt% and 95 wt%, preferably between 20 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between 30 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between 40 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between 50 wt% and 95 wt%, more preferably between 60 wt% and 80 wt%, is contained in the polymer composition. 10. Vascular closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer composition comprises a random or block copolymer, in particular wherein ethene and a C3 to C8(alpha) olefin, preferably ethene and a C3 to C8(alpha) olefin, are comonomers of the random or block copolymer, most preferably the copolymer is an ethene-1-octene block copolymer, a random ethene-1-octene copolymer, a (random) 1-butene-ethene copolymer or a (random) propene-ethene copolymer. 11. Vascular closure according to claim 10, wherein the random or block copolymer is present in the polymer composition at a maximum of 70% by weight, preferably at a maximum of 60% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 50% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 40% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 30% by weight, more preferably at a maximum of 20% by weight. 12. Vessel closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer composition contains up to 60 wt.%, preferably up to 45 wt.%, more preferably up to 30 wt.%, more preferably up to 20 wt.%, of a component which is liquid at 20°C and 1 bar, in particular wherein the liquid component comprises at least 1 wt.% or at least 5 wt.% is contained in the polymer composition. 13. Vessel closure according to claim 12, wherein the liquid component contains or is a polyalphaolefin having a kinematic viscosity, determined according to ASTM D445 / ISO 3104, of at least 4 cSt, at a temperature of 100 °C, and/or having a dropping point, determined according to ASTM 5950, of at most -10 °C. 14. Vessel (5, 25, 45) with a vessel mouth (5a, 25a, 45a) and a closable opening at the end of the vessel mouth, wherein the opening is closed with a vessel closure (1, 21, 41, 61) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular wherein the vessel closure comprises a carrier (11, 31, 51, 71) and the sealing element (3, 23, 43, 63), and wherein the sealing element has a height (ha) of at most 1.0 mm, preferably at most 0.8 mm, particularly preferably at most 0.7 mm, in the axial direction of the vessel between an upper end (4, 24, 44) of the vessel mouth and a lower side of the carrier (11, 31, 51, 71). 15. A method for producing a sealed and filled vessel, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a vessel (1, 21, 41, 61) having a vessel mouth (5a, 25a, 45a) and a closable opening at the end of the vessel mouth; (b) filling the container with a filling material, in particular a foodstuff, through the opening of the container; (c) closing the opening of the vessel with a vessel closure according to any one of claims 1 to 13.