| abstract |
A process for creating a SiOx barrier layer on the interior wall of a container is disclosed in the present invention. A gas mixture consisting of an organosilicon precursor gas, an oxidizer gas and a carrier gas is introduced into a polymeric container. The gas mixture is then irradiated with ultraviolet light to create a reaction within the container. The reacted gas then coats the interior wall of the container with a SiOx barrier layer. The remainder of the gas mixture is then purged from the container. The gas mixture may also be utilized to blow mould a container. The polymeric container may be composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of polypropylene, copolymers of polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalate, copolymers of polyethylene terphthalate or mixtures thereof. An excimer ultraviolet lamp is preferred to irradiate the gas mixture inside of the container. The process may be performed at a station on a manufacturing line, or at an off-line site. |