FROSTING COMPOSITION AND FROSTED GLASS CONTAINER

Abstract: There are disclosed a frost-coating composition, which comprises (i) a hydrophobic silica particle or further comprises (ii) a polymer particle, in addition to a photocurable compound; and a frosted glass container coated with such a composition. The frosted glass container coated with such a composition is excellent in alkali resistance, or excellent both in alkali resistance and in impact resistance.

Description: The present invention relates to the use of a frost-coating composition. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a frost-coating composition which forms on a glass container a frosted coating having excellent alkali-washing resistance, further, relates to the use of a frost-coating composition which forms on a glass container a frosted coating having not only excellent alkali-washing resistance but also excellent impact resistance. Herein, glass containers involve glass bottles, glassware such as cups and dishes, and vases. Glass containers with a frostily finished surface, hereinafter referred to as "frosted glass containers" are extensively used as containers, for foods, beverages, alcoholic liquors, cosmetics and other materials because it prevents UV transmission and improves the design of a container so as to impart to the viewer an impression of high quality. Generally, in order to impart a frosted finish to a surface of a glass container, a method is used in which the surface is etched with a hydrofluoric acid solution with added salts such as ammonium fluoride, or a mixed solution of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid with added salts such as ammonium fluoride. Although this method provides a fine frosted surface, the use of a strong acid, such as hydrofluoric acid as an etching agent, makes the handling of agents difficult and requires many steps of washing with an acid and water. Thus, there are problems associated with this method such as the need to treat acidic waste water and other problems in relation, for example, to safety, environment, productivity and costs. A method for providing a frosted finish to a surface of a glass container without using such harmful agents is disclosed in JP-A-53-002518 and JP-B-05-068418. In this method, fine silica particles, as a matting agent, are mixed into a thermosetting resin or a photocurable resin to form a frosted coating on the surface of the glass container. However, when a frosted glass container is immersed into a washing solution such as an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in a step of alkali washing, such a frosted coating obtained by the above method presents significant and practical problems in that the coating turns white and, sometimes, peels from the container. In addition, when a glass container passes through an alkali washing line or a bottling line, cracking and peeling of the coating sometimes occur by collision between glass bottles. Thus, there has been a desire to enhance the impact resistance of the coating. Photocurable resins similar to those disclosed in JP-B-05-068418 (supra) are also employed in pressure sensitive adhesive compositions as disclosed in EP-A-0736585, EP-A-0213737 and EP-A-0349216. These pressure sensitive compositions additionally include, as a filler component, fine silica particles which, in contrast to the silica particles disclosed in JP-B-05-068418, have been rendered hydrophobic, as described, for example, at column 2 line 36 to column 3 line 15 of EP-A-0213737. The compositions of EP-A-0349216 additionally include polymeric microspheres having an average diameter of 10 to 200 micrometres. The present invention addresses the above problems presented by such a coating composition. The first object of the present invention is to provide a coating composition which can be used to form a frosted coating having excellent alkali resistance on a glass container. The second object of the present invention is to provide a coating composition which can be used to form a frosted coating having excellent impact resistance as well as excellent alkali resistance on a glass container. Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a frosted glass container coated with such a coating composition. The present inventors considered that known frosted coatings were adversely affected so as to be whitened in a step of alkali washing due to the poor alkali resistance of fine silica particles incorporated as a matting agent. Thus, we conducted an extensive study of the kinds and nature of matting agents. Consequently, we found that the alkali resistance of a frosted coating could be significantly improved by using hydrophobic fine silica particles as a matting agent and that the impact resistance could be significantly improved by using, as a matting agent, hydrophobic fine silica particles having excellent alkali resistance and at the same time by using additionally fine polymer particles within a range where the alkali resistance did not deteriorate. That is, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides the use, in forming a frost coating on a glass container, of a composition comprising 5-50 parts by weight of hydrophobic fine silica particles based on 100 parts by weight of a component which is photocurable to provide the frost coating. According to the first aspect of the present invention, a frosted coating having excellent alkali resistance can be formed by mixing a photocurable component and hydrophobic fine silica particles without using any strong acid as an etching agent. In addition, according to a second aspect, the present invention provides the use, in forming a frost coating on a glass container, of a composition comprising 5-50 parts by weight of hydrophobic fine silica particles and 3-30 parts by weight of fine polymer particles based on 100 parts by weight of a component which is photocurable to provide the frost coating. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the properties of excellent impact resistance due to the fine polymer particles can be manifested in addition to the properties of excellent alkali resistance possessed by the above frosted coating formed by mixing the photocurable component and hydrophobic fine silica particles. Thus, it is considered that a synergistic effect is obtained between the respective fine particles of hydrophobic silica and polymer without impairing the respective characteristics of each other. According to the second aspect of the present invention, a coating composition can be provided, which forms a frosted coating having excellent impact resistance as well as excellent alkali resistance on a glass container. The first and second aspects of the present invention will now be successively described in more detail below. [The first aspect] The photocurable component used in the first aspect of the present invention is not limited to specified components and may be any component which is curable on irradiation thereof with an active energy ray such as visible light or UV light to give a conventional resin used for coating of a glass container with a plastics material. The above photocurable component is, for example, mainly a reactive compound having two or more (meth)acryloyl groups in the molecule, and a compound containing, as needed, a monofunctional monomer containing one (meth)acryloyl group in the molecule. Hereinafter, such a monomer is referred to as a "diluting monomer" and "(meth)acryl" is a shorthand reference meaning both "acryl" and "methacryl". The weight proportion of the reactive compound in the photocurable component used in the first aspect of the present invention may be 100%, but is usually 95-5% and, preferably 90-10% having regard to the toughness of the cured resin coating and the curability of the coating. Examples of the above reactive compound are (1) polyhydric (meth)acrylates resulting from bonding of two or more (meth)acrylic acids to polyhydric alcohols, (2) polyester (meth)acrylates resulting from bonding of two or more (meth)acrylic acids to polyester polyols obtained by the reaction of polyhydric alcohols and polybasic acids, (3) epoxy-modified (meth)acrylates obtained by esterifying the epoxy groups of epoxy compounds having two or more epoxy groups in the molecule with (meth)acrylic acids to form (meth)acryloyl groups as functional groups, and (4) polyurethane (meth)acrylates obtained by reacting polyvalent isocyanate compounds with hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates. Among them, polyhydric (meth)acrylates and epoxy-modified (meth)acrylates are preferably used having regard to the strength of the cured resin coating. Examples of the above polyhydric (meth)acrylate are not limited to but include diethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, and compounds represented by the general formula (1): (wherein R represents H, F or CH 3 ). Examples of the above epoxy-modified (meth)acrylate are not limited to but include bisphenol A epoxy-modified (meth)acrylate, glycerol diglycidyl ether-modified (meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether-modified (meth)acrylate and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether-modified (meth)acrylate. Examples of the above diluting monomer are 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, dicyclopentenyl-oxyethyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate and isobornyl (meth)acrylate. In order to control the viscosity, reactivity and hardness after curing of the photocurable compound, these are used together with the above reactive compound as needed. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the hydrophobic fine silica particles used as a matting agent are not limited to those specified and, for example, hydrophilic fine silica particles which have been hydrophobization-treated with a hydrophobic compound may be used. More particularly, there are fine particles obtained by coating the surface of a hydrophilic fine silica particle with a hydrophobic compound, and fine particles obtained by chemically binding a hydrophobic compound having hydrophobic groups in the molecule to silanol groups on the surface of fine silica particles. The method for hydrophobization-treating hydrophilic fine silica particles is not particularly limited, and methods known in the art may be performed, such as a method of immersing hydrophilic fine silica particles into a solution of a hydrophobic compound, subsequently drying and heat-treating, a method of spraying a solution of a hydrophobic compound while stirring a powder of hydrophilic fine silica particles, followed by drying and heat-treating. As the hydrophilic fine silica particles to be subjected to the hydrophobization-treatment, conventional hydrophilic fine silica particles such as fused silica, white carbon obtained by a dry or wet process and others can be used. As the above hydrophobic compound, there are silicone compounds, silane compounds, metallic soap, and wax and, inter alia , silicone compounds and silane compounds are preferably used. Examples of the silicone compound are silicone oils such as methyl hydrogen polysiloxane and modified dimethyl polysiloxanes in which amino groups or epoxy groups are introduced at their side chains or ends. Examples of the silane compound are chlorosilane compounds such as methyl chlorosilane and phenyl chlorosilane, alkoxysilane compounds such as methyl alkoxysilane, phenyl alkoxysilane, isobutyl alkoxysilane, hexyl alkoxysilane, octyl alkoxysilane, decyl alkoxysilane and dimethyl polysiloxy alkoxysilane, and silazane compounds such as hexamethyl disilazane. Preferably, methyl hydrogen polysiloxane, modified dimethyl polysiloxane, hexyl alkoxysilane, dimethyl polysiloxy alkoxysilane and hexamethyl disilazane are used. The degree of hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic fine silica particles is represented herein as a volume % of methanol (hereinafter, referred to as "M value") at which the fine silica particles start to disperse in an aqueous methanol solution when the hydrophobization-treated fine silica particles are floated on water, and then methanol is gradually added into the aqueous phase while gently stirring the aqueous phase. In accordance with the present invention, it is preferred that the M value possessed by the hydrophobic fine silica particles is 5 or more, more preferably 20 or more and, still more preferably 40 or more. It is not preferable that the value is less than 5 because the degree of hydrophobicity of the fine silica particles is not sufficient, leading to poor alkali resistance. The mean particle size of the hydrophobic fine silica particles used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, depending on the thickness of the coating to be coated on a glass container, is usually in the range of 0.1-25µm, more preferably in the range of 1-5µm from the viewpoint of manifesting good frostiness. When the mean particle size of the fine silica particles is less than 0.1µm, since inequalities of the surface (surface roughness) of the coating are so low that the coating becomes more transparent, it is difficult to manifest frostiness even if a large amount of fine silica particles is used. On the other hand, it is not preferable that the mean particle size is more than 25µm, since inequalities of the surface (surface roughness) are conversely so high that the whiteness becomes high, the design is spoiled and the surface finish feels rough. In the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, fine particles other than fine silica particles may be used together with the fine silica particles in order to improve frostiness and feeling, and to prevent precipitation of the fine silica particles, as far as the alkali resistance is not adversely affected. Examples of the fine particles other than the fine silica particles, which can be employed are fine inorganic particles such as alumina, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, talc, mica and aluminosilicate, and the above fine inorganic particles, the surface of which has been hydrophobization-treated. The frost-coating composition used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention is obtained by incorporating therein 5-50 parts by weight, preferably 10-30 parts by weight of the hydrophobic fine silica particles based on 100 parts by weight of a photocurable component. When the proportion of the hydrophobic fine silica particles is less than 5 parts by weight, it is difficult to manifest frostiness. In addition, it is not preferable that the proportion is more than 50 parts by weight because the whiteness is so high as to spoil the design and, in some cases the mechanical strength of the coating deteriorates such that the coating becomes brittle. [The second aspect] The photocurable component used in the second aspect of the present invention is not limited to specified components and may be any component which is curable by irradiation thereof with an active energy ray such as visible light or UV light to give a conventional resin used for coating of a glass container with a plastics material, as in accordance with the first aspect. The above photocurable component is, for example, mainly a reactive compound having two or more (meth)acryloyl groups in the molecule, and a compound containing, as needed, a monofunctional monomer containing one (meth)acryloyl group in the molecule. The weight proportion of the reactive compound in the photocurable component used in the second aspect of the present invention may be 100%, but is usually 95-5% and, preferably 90-10% having regard to the toughness of the cured resin coating and the curability of the coating. Examples of the above reactive compound are (1) polyhydric (meth)acrylates resulting from bonding of two or more (meth)acrylic acids to polyhydric alcohols, (2) polyester (meth)acrylates resulting from bonding of two or more (meth)acrylic acids to polyester polyols obtained by the reaction of polyhydric alcohols and polybasic acids, (3) epoxy-modified (meth)acrylates obtained by esterifying the epoxy groups of epoxy compounds having two or more epoxy groups in the molecule with (meth)acrylic acids to form (meth)acryloyl groups as functional groups, and (4) polyurethane (meth)acrylates obtained by reacting polyvalent isocyanate compounds with hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates. Among them, polyhydric (meth)acrylates and epoxy-modified (meth)acrylates are preferably used having regard to the strength of the cured resin coating. Examples of the above polyhydric (meth)acrylate are not limited to but include diethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, and compounds represented by the general formula (1): (wherein R is as defined in the first aspect). Examples of the above epoxy-modified (meth)acrylate are not limited to but include bisphenol A epoxy-modified (meth)acrylate, glycerol diglycidyl ether-modified (meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether-modified (meth)acrylate and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether-modified (meth)acrylate. Examples of the above diluting monomer are 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, dicyclopentenyloxyethyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate and isobornyl (meth)acrylate. In order to control the viscosity, reactivity and hardness after curing of the photocurable compound, these are used together with the above reactive compound as needed. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the hydrophobic fine silica particles used as a matting agent are not particularly limited, and, for example, hydrophilic fine silica particles which have been hydrophobization-treated with a hydrophobic compound may be used as in accordance with the first aspect. More particularly, there are fine particles obtained by coating the surface of the hydrophilic fine silica particles with a hydrophobic compound, and fine particles obtained by chemically binding a hydrophobic compound having hydrophobic groups in the molecule to silanol groups on the surface of the fine silica particles. The method for hydrophobization-treating of the hydrophilic fine silica particles is not particularly limited, and methods known in the art may be performed, such as a method of immersing hydrophilic fine silica particles into a solution of a hydrophobic compound, subsequently drying and heat-treating, and a method of spraying a solution of a hydrophobic compound while stirring a powder of hydrophilic fine silica particles, followed by drying and heat-treating. As the hydrophilic fine silica particles to be subjected to the hydrophobization-treatment, conventional hydrophilic fine silica particles such as fused silica, white carbon obtained by a dry or wet process, and others can be used. As the above hydrophobic compound, there are silicone compounds, silane compounds, metallic soap and wax, and, inter alia , silicone compounds and silane compounds are preferably used. Examples of the silicone compound are silicone oils such as methyl hydrogen polysiloxane and modified dimethyl polysiloxanes in which amino groups or epoxy groups are introduced at their side chains or ends. Examples of the silane compound are chlorosilane compounds such as methyl chlorosilane and phenyl chlorosilane, alkoxysilane compounds such as methyl alkoxysilane, phenyl alkoxysilane, isobutyl alkoxysilane, hexyl alkoxysilane, octyl alkoxysilane, decyl alkoxysilane and dimethyl polysiloxy alkoxysilane and silazane compounds such as hexamethyl disilazane. Preferably, methyl hydrogen polysiloxane, modified dimethyl polysiloxane, hexyl alkoxysilane, dimethyl polysiloxy alkoxysilane and hexamethyl disilazane are used. In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that the M value possessed by the hydrophobic fine silica particles is 5 or more, more preferably 20 or more and, still more preferably 40 or more, as in accordance with the first aspect. It is not preferable that the value is less than 5 because the degree of hydrophobicity of the fine silica particles is not sufficient, leading to poor alkali resistance. The mean particle size of the hydrophobic fine silica particles used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, depending on the thickness of the coating to be coated on a glass container, is usually in the range of 0.1-25µm, more preferably in the range of 1-5µm from the viewpoint of manifesting fine frostiness. When the mean particle size of the fine silica particles is less than 0.1µm, since inequalities of the surface (surface roughness) of the coating are so low that the coating becomes more transparent, it is difficult to manifest frostiness even if a large amount of fine silica particles is used. On the other hand, it is not preferable that the mean particle size is more than 25µm, since inequalities of the surface (surface roughness) are conversely so high that the whiteness becomes high, the design is spoiled, and the surface finish feels rough. In addition, in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the polymer particles incorporated in order to improve impact resistance, are, for example, fine acrylic particles such as fine poly(meth)acrylic acid ester particles, fine (meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer particles, fine cross-linked poly(meth)acrylic acid ester particles and fine cross-linked (meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer particles, fine silicone particles, fine polystyrene particles, fine cross-linked polystyrene particles, fine polyamide particles, fine polyurethane particles, fine polyethylene particles, fine polypropylene particles, fine elastomer particles, fine benzoguanamine particles, fine urea resin particles and fine phenolic resin particle. Preferably, fine acrylic particles such as a fine cross-linked poly(meth)acrylic acid ester particle, fine cross-linked (meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer particles, fine polyurethane particle and fine silicone particles are used. Although the mechanism by which the impact resistance is improved by the addition of these fine polymer particles is not clear, it is considered that the impact resistance of the coating is improved because the fine polymer particles are uniformly dispersed in the coating and work as focusing points of stress to relax internal stress at the time of curing and consequently, the adhesion of the coating is improved and, furthermore, the particles also work as focusing points of external stress exerted on the coating. The mean particle size of the polymer particles used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, depending on the thickness of the coating on a glass container, is usually in the range of 0.1-25µm, more preferably in the range of 1-10µm from the viewpoint of achieving an improvement in the impact resistance and the appearance of the coating. When the mean particle size of the fine polymer particles is less than 0.1µm, it is difficult to manifest the impact resistance. On the other hand, it is not preferable that the mean particle size is more than 25µm, regardless of the improvement in impact resistance, since inequalities of the surface (surface roughness) of the coating become large, and the surface finish feels rough. In addition in the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, fine particles other than the fine silica particles and the fine polymer particles may be used together with the fine silica and polymer particles in order to improve frostiness and feeling, and to prevent precipitation of the fine silica particles, as far as the alkali resistance is not adversely affected. Examples of the fine particles, other than the fine silica particle and the fine polymer particles, which can be employed are fine inorganic particles such as alumina, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, talc, mica and aluminosilicate, and the above fine inorganic particles the surface of which has been hydrophobization-treated. The frost-coating composition used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention is obtained by incorporating therein 5-50 parts by weight, preferably 10-30 parts by weight of the hydrophobic fine silica particles, and 3-30 parts by weight, preferably 5-15 parts by weight of the fine polymer particles based on 100 parts by weight of a photocurable component. When the proportion of the hydrophobic fine silica particles is less than 5 parts by weight, it is difficult to manifest frostiness. In addition, it is not preferable that the proportion is more than 50 parts by weight because the whiteness is so high to spoil the design and, in some cases the mechanical strength of the coating deteriorates such that the coating becomes brittle. It is not preferable that the proportion of the fine polymer particles is less than 3 parts by weight, since the improving effect on impact resistance is low, and, on the other hand, when the proportion is more than 30 parts by weight, it is wasteful and, furthermore, the properties of the coatings such as alkali resistance are adversely affected. The hydrophobic fine silica particles and the fine polymer particles may be directly mixed into a photocurable component to form a dispersion, or they may be dispersed in a photocurable component which is diluted in advance with an organic solvent such as toluene, xylene, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, ethyl acetate and ethyl methyl ketone (provided that the solvent does not dissolve the polymer particles). In addition, they may be mixed with a photocurable component to form a dispersion therein after having been dispersed in a diluting monomer or the above organic solvent. As a method for dispersing, methods known in the art can be used, such as a method of dispersing with a high-speed stirrer such as a disperser, a method of using a ball mill, a sand mill, or a bead medium mill, and a method of dispersing with an ultrasonic homogenizer or a homomixer having a high shearing force. The frost-coating compositions used in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention, which are obtained as described as above, can be coated on a glass container by a method known in the art, such as spraying and dipping. The thickness of the coating is usually in the range of 1-50µm, preferably in the range of 3-25µm having regard to costs, properties of coatings and other considerations. A frosted glass container having excellent alkali resistance or further having excellent impact resistance can be obtained by curing a resin by irradiating a glass container coated with the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the present invention with visible light or UV light using a xenon lamp, a low-, middle-, or high-pressure mercury-vapor lamp, a UV fluorescent lamp, a carbon arc lamp, a tungsten lamp and the like. In the frost-coating compositions used in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention, a polymerization initiator is usually used to initiate or promote polymerization. As the polymerization initiator, depending on the kinds of the photocurable compound used, both an ionic polymerization initiator and a radical polymerization initiator can be used. Examples of the ionic polymerization initiator are aryl diazonium compounds, diaryl iodonium compounds, triaryl sulfonium compounds and triaryl serenonium compounds. Examples of the radical polymerization initiator are benzoin, benzoin alkyl ethers, benzyl ketals, acetophenone, α-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, acetophenone derivatives, benzil, benzophenone, benzophenone derivatives, α-acyloxime esters, thioxanthone derivatives, anthraquinone derivatives and aromatic peroxide esters. These are used alone or as a mixture of 2 or more of them. In addition, they may be used together with aromatic amines such as ethyl p -dimethylaminobenzoate and isoamyl p -dimethylaminobenzoate. The amount of the polymerization initiator to be used may be in the range of 0.1-20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the photocurable component. A coupling agent may be added, as needed, to the frost-coating compositions used in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention in order to improve adhesion between the coating and the glass container and adhesive properties between the resin and the matting agent of hydrophobic fine silica particle. As the coupling agent, usually, a silane coupling agent is preferably used. Examples of the above silane coupling agent are γ-acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, γ-acryloxypropyl methyl dimethoxysilane, γ-acryloxypropyl triethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyl triethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyl methyl dimethoxysilane, vinyl trimethoxysilane and vinyl triethoxysilane. Furthermore, in order to impart the UV absorption effect to the coatings, a UV absorber may be added, as needed, to the frost-coating compositions used in accordance with the first and the second aspect of the present invention. It is preferred that the UV absorber is well miscible with resins, and may be appropriately selected from, for example, a benzophenone UV absorber such as 2-hydroxybenzophenone, 5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone, 4-dodecyloxy-2-hydroxybenzophenone and 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone; a benzotriazol UV absorber such as 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazol, 2-(2-hydroxy-3- t -butyl-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazol, 2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di- t -butylphenyl)benzotriazol, 2-(2-hydroxy-5- t -octylphenyl)-benzotriazol and 2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di- t -amylphenyl)benzotriazol; a benzoate UV absorber such as 2,4-di- t -butylphenyl-3,5-di- t -butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate; a salicylic acid UV absorber; and a cyanoacrylate UV absorber. A dispersing agent may be further added to the frost-coating compositions used in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention in order to enhance the effect of dispersing the fine silica particles (in the second aspect, the fine silica particles and the fine polymer particles) in a resin. As the dispersing agent, there are a surfactant such as a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant and a cationic surfactant, a reactive surfactant having (meth)acryloxy groups in the molecule, and a polymeric dispersing agent such as polycarbonic acid. Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following Examples and Comparative Examples. Example 1 A solution obtained by dissolving 2 parts by weight of methyl hydrogen polysiloxane (Trade name: Shin-Etsu silicone KF99, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) in 15 parts by weight of trichloroethylene was added to 100 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine silica particles (Trade name: Nipsil E200A, manufactured by Nippon Silica Industrial), which were stirred and mixed to adhere methyl hydrogen polysiloxane uniformly on the surface of the fine silica particles. After trichloroethylene had been evaporated, heat-treatment at 150°C for 2 hours afforded hydrophobic fine silica particles. The M value of the resulting hydrophobic fine silica particles was 75, and the mean particle size was 2.5µm. Then, the photocurable component shown in Table 1 was dissolved in ethyl methyl ketone, and the proportion of the effective component (solid content) was adjusted to 40% by weight. Twenty-five parts by weight of the above hydrophobic fine silica particles were uniformly dispersed in 250 parts by weight (in terms of solid content: 100 parts by weight) of the obtained solution of the photocurable component using an ultrasonic disperser. To this were added 8 parts by weight of α-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Trade name: Irgacure 184, manufactured by CIBA-GEIGY (Japan)) as a photopolymerization initiator and 4 parts by weight of γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (Trade name: KBM503, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) as a coupling agent to give the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. A glass container washed with an aqueous alkali solution was dipped into the above composition and then heated to dry at 80°C for 90 seconds. The thickness of the obtained coating was 25µm. Next, the coating was cured by irradiating it with UV light at an energy quantity of about 3,000mJ/cm 2 to obtain a frosted glass container. Specular glossiness at 60° for the obtained glass container was measured according to JIS Z8741 Specular Glossiness Measuring Method, to assess frostiness. In addition, the alkali resistance was evaluated based on the state of peeling of the coating and the assessment of the frostiness after the obtained glass container was immersed into a 4% aqueous NaOH solution at 80°C for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes. The results are shown in Table 2. The glass container coated with the composition used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention showed neither whitening of the coating nor peeling of the coating from the container even after one-hour immersion, and the coating retained its fine frostiness and was excellent in alkali resistance. Example 2 A solution obtained by dissolving 2 parts by weight of epoxy-modified dimethylpolysiloxane (Trade name: Shin-Etsu silicone KF101, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) in 15 parts by weight of trichloroethylene was added to 100 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine silica particles (Trade name: Nipsil E200A, manufactured by Nippon Silica Industrial), which were stirred and mixed to adhere epoxy-modified dimethylpolysiloxane uniformly on the surfaces of the fine silica particles. After trichloroethylene had been evaporated, heat-treatment at 150°C for 2 hours afforded hydrophobic fine silica particles. The M value of the resulting hydrophobic fine silica particles was 55, and the mean particle size was 1.8µm. Then, 30 parts by weight of the above hydrophobic fine silica particles were uniformly dispersed in 250 parts by weight (in terms of solid content: 100 parts by weight) of a solution of the photocurable component which had been prepared as in Example 1, using an ultrasonic disperser. To this were added 5 parts by weight of benzyl dimethyl ketal as a photopolymerization initiator and 4 parts by weight of γ-acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (Trade name: KBM5103, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) as a coupling agent to give the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. A frosted glass container was obtained using the frost-coating composition as in Example 1, and the alkali resistance was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2. Example 3 A solution obtained by dissolving 2 parts by weight of hexyl trimethoxysilane (Trade name: TSL8241, manufactured by Toshiba Silicone) in 20 parts by weight of a mixed solution of ethanol/water was added to 100 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine silica particles (Trade name: Nipsil E200A, manufactured by Nippon Silica Industrial), which were stirred and mixed to adhere hexyl trimethoxysilane uniformly on the surfaces of the fine silica particles. After ethanol/water had been evaporated, heat-treatment at 130°C for 1 hour afforded hydrophobic fine silica particles. The M value of the resulting hydrophobic fine silica particles was 50, and the mean particle size was 2.5µm. Then, the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention was obtained as in Example 1. A frosted glass container was obtained using the obtained frost-coating composition as in Example 1, and the alkali resistance was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2. Example 4 The same procedures as those in Example 3 were performed except that hexamethyl disilazan (Trade name: SZ-6079, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning) was used instead of the hexyl trimethoxysilane used in Example 3, to give hydrophobic fine silica particles having the M value of 45 and the mean particle size of 2.0µm. Then, 30 parts by weight of the above hydrophobic fine silica particles were uniformly dispersed in 250 parts by weight of a solution of the photocurable component which had been prepared as in Example 1 (containing 100 parts by weight of the photocurable component), using an ultrasonic disperser. To this were added 8 parts by weight of α-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Trade name: Irgacure 184, manufactured by CIBA-GEIGY (Japan)) as a photopolymerization initiator and 4 parts by weight of γ-methacryloxypropyl methyl dimethoxysilane (Trade name: KBM502, Shin-Etsu Chemical) as a coupling agent to give the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. A frosted glass container was obtained using the obtained frost-coating composition as in Example 1, and the alkali resistance was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2. Example 5 The same procedures as those in Example 1 were performed except for using hydrophobic fine silica particles, the surfaces of which had been hydrophobization-treated with methyl hydrogen polysiloxane, having an M value of 20 and a mean particle size of 2.5µm. The results are shown in Table 2. Example 6 The same procedures as those in Example 1 were performed except for using hydrophobic fine silica particles, the surfaces of which had been hydrophobization-treated with methyl hydrogen polysiloxane, having an M value of 10 and a mean particle size of 2.5µm. The results are shown in Table 2. Comparative Example 1 A frost-coating composition was obtained according to the same procedures as those in Example 1 except for using hydrophilic fine silica particles without hydrophobization-treatment, having a mean particle size of 2.5µm (M value is zero). A frosted glass container was obtained using the obtained frost-coating composition according to the same procedures as those in Example 1, and the alkali resistance was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2. The obtained glass container showed gradual whitening of the coating immediately after the immersion and the coating was peeled from the glass container after 15 minutes. Example 7 The photocurable component shown in Table 1 was dissolved in ethyl methyl ketone, and the proportion of the effective component (solid content) was adjusted to 40% by weight. Twenty parts by weight of the hydrophobic fine silica particles obtained in Example 1, and 7 parts by weight of fine cross-linked polymethyl methacrylate particles (Trade name: MR2G, manufactured by Soken Kagaku, Mean particle size 2µm) were uniformly dispersed in 250 parts by weight of the obtained solution of the photocurable component (containing 100 parts by weight of the photocurable compound) using an ultrasonic disperser. To this were added 8 parts by weight of α-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Trade name: Irgacure 184, manufactured by CIBA-GEIGY (Japan)) as a photopolymerization initiator and 4 parts by weight of γ-acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (Trade name: KBM5103, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) as a coupling agent to give a frost-coating composition used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. A glass container washed with an aqueous alkali solution was dipped into the above composition and then heated to dry at 80°C for 90 seconds. The thickness of the obtained coating was 25µm. Next, the coating was cured by irradiating it with UV light at an energy quantity of about 3,000mJ/cm 2 to obtain a frosted glass container. Specular glossiness at 60° for the obtained glass container was measured according to JIS Z8741 Specular Glossiness Measuring Method to assess frostiness. In addition, the alkali resistance was evaluated based on the state of peeling of the coating and the assessment of the frostiness after the obtained glass container was immersed into a 4% aqueous NaOH solution at 80°C for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes. Further, after immersing into a 4% aqueous NaOH solution at 80°C for 5 minutes, a 15-minute scratching test with a line simulator manufactured by ARG (LS scratching test) was performed to examine cracking and peeling of the coating, and thereby the impact resistance was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3. The glass container coated with the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention showed neither whitening of the coating nor peeling of the coating from the container even after one-hour immersion, and the coating retained its fine frostiness and was excellent in alkali resistance. Furthermore, neither cracking nor peeling of the coating occurred even after scratching for 15 minutes in the LS scratching test; thus, the impact resistance was also excellent. Example 8 Twenty parts by weight of the hydrophobic fine silica particles obtained in Example 1 and 12 parts by weight of fine acrylic acid ester copolymer particles (Trade name: Staphyroid AC3355, manufactured by Takeda Chemical Industries, Mean particle size 0.5µm) were uniformly dispersed in 250 parts by weight of a solution of a photocurable component, which was prepared as in Example 7 (containing 100 parts by weight of the photocurable compound), using an ultrasonic disperser. To this were added 8 parts by weight of α-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Trade name: Irgacure 184, manufactured by CIBA-GEIGY (Japan)) as a photopolymerization initiator and 4 parts by weight of γ-acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (Trade name: KBM5103, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) as a coupling agent to give the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. A frosted glass container was obtained using the obtained frost-coating composition as in Example 7, and the alkali resistance and the impact resistance were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3. Example 9 Twenty parts by weight of the hydrophobic fine silica particles obtained in Example 1 and 12 parts by weight of fine silicone particles (Trade name: Tospearl 130, manufactured by Toshiba Silicone, Mean particle size 3µm) were uniformly dispersed in 250 parts by weight of the solution of the photocurable component, which was prepared as in Example 7 (containing 100 parts by weight of the photocurable compound), using an ultrasonic disperser. To this were added 8 parts by weight of α-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Trade name: Irgacure 184, manufactured by CIBA-GEIGY (Japan)) as a photopolymerization initiator and 4 parts by weight of γ-acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (Trade name: KBM5103, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) as a coupling agent to give the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. A frosted glass container was obtained using the obtained frost-coating composition as in Example 7, and the alkali resistance and the impact resistance were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3. Example 10 Twenty parts by weight of the hydrophobic fine silica particles obtained in Example 1 and 20 parts by weight of fine polyurethane particles (Trade name: Artpearl, manufactured by Negami Kogyo, Mean particle size 7µm) were uniformly dispersed in 250 parts by weight of the solution of the photocurable component, which was prepared according to the same manner as that in Example 7 (containing 100 parts by weight of the photocurable compound), using an ultrasonic disperser. To this were added 8 parts by weight of α-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Trade name: Irgacure 184, manufactured by CIBA-GEIGY (Japan)) as a photopolymerization initiator and 4 parts by weight of γ-acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (Trade name: KBM5103, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) as a coupling agent to give the frost-coating composition used in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. A frosted glass container was obtained using the obtained frost-coating composition according to the same manner as that in Example 7, and the alkali resistance and the impact resistance were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, a frosted coating having excellent alkali-washing resistance can be obtained by using, as a matting agent, hydrophobic fine silica particles whose surface is hydrophobization-treated. Additionally, according to the present invention, a frosted coating having excellent alkali-washing resistance and excellent impact resistance can be obtained by using, as a matting agent, hydrophobic fine silica particles whose surface is hydrophobization-treated and polymer particles. Since use in accordance with the present invention of the frost-coating composition as defined is safer and more economically excellent in comparison with the conventional methods, it can be extensively and practically utilized for glass containers for alcoholic liquors, beverages and other materials.

Claims: Use, in forming a frost coating on a glass container, of a composition comprising 5-50 parts by weight of hydrophobic fine silica particles based on 100 parts by weight of a component which is photocurable to provide the frost coating. Use, in forming a frost coating on a glass container, of a composition comprising 5-50 parts by weight of hydrophobic fine silica particles and 3-30 parts by weight of fine polymer particles based on 100 parts by weight of a component which is photocurable to provide the frost coating. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photocurable component comprises at least one reactive compound selected from polyhydric (meth)acrylate, polyester (meth)acrylate, epoxy-modified (meth)acrylate and polyurethane (meth)acrylate. Use according to any preceding claim, wherein the hydrophobic fine silica particles are hydrophilic fine silica particles treated with a hydrophobic compound to render the particles hydrophobic. Use according to claim 4, wherein the hydrophobic compound is a silicone compound or a silane compound. Use, according to any preceding claim, wherein the M value of the hydrophobic fine silica particle is 5 or more. Use according to any preceding claim, wherein the mean particle size of the hydrophobic fine silica particles is 0.1-25µm. Use according to claim 2, wherein the fine polymer particles are selected from at least one of fine acrylic particles, fine silicone particles and fine polyurethane particles. Use according to claim 2 or 8, wherein the mean particle size of the fine polymer particles is 0.1-25µm. A frosted glass container coated with a composition, for forming a frost-coating, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Inventors: ARAKI EIICHI, FUKUNAMI MOTOFUMI, KURODA YOSHIKAZU NIHON YAMAMUR, MANABE HIROSHI, SUGIHARA NORIHIRO, ARAKI, EIICHI, FUKUNAMI, MOTOFUMI, KURODA, YOSHIKAZU, MANABE, HIROSHI, SUGIHARA, NORIHIRO, ARAKI, Eiichi, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd., FUKUNAMI, Motofumi, Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd., KURODA, Yoshikazu, Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd., MANABE, Hiroshi, Sumitomo Seika Chem. Co., Ltd., SUGIHARA, Norihiro, Sumitomo Seika Chem. Co., Ltd.
Applicants: NIHON YAMAMURA GLASS CO LTD, SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS, NIHON YAMAMURA GLASS CO. LTD., SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO., LTD.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C09D5
IPC codes: C03C17