Air-Permeable Packaging Material With Reticulated Reinforcing Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air-permeable packaging materials with perforated films as outer layers face issues of paper dust and fluffing, and there is a risk of content leakage, particularly when packaging oxygen scavengers or desiccants.

Innovation Solution

An air-permeable packaging material is developed with a non-perforated polyolefin layer and a reticulated reinforcing layer, where the non-perforated polyolefin layer serves as the outermost surface and the reticulated reinforcing layer provides mechanical strength and air-permeability, eliminating the need for perforations and reducing the risk of leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a perforated film is used as the outer layer of packaging material, then air-permeability is improved, but content leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair-permeabilityVSAvoidcontent leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a reticulated foam layer as the air-permeable component instead of a perforated film. This porous foam structure allows air to pass through while its closed-cell configuration prevents liquid or granular contents from leaking, thus resolving the contradiction between air-permeability and content leakage prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging material uses a composite structure combining a polyolefin base material layer with a reticulated foam layer. This composite design integrates the barrier properties of the polyolefin layer with the air-permeable properties of the reticulated foam, achieving both content containment and air circulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If paper is used as the surface layer of packaging material, then air-permeability is improved, but paper dust and fluffing occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair-permeabilityVSAvoidpaper dust and fluffing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces paper material with polyolefin material for the base layer, changing the material parameter from fibrous plant-based material to synthetic polymer. This eliminates the inherent defects of paper (dust and fluffing) while maintaining air-permeability through the reticulated foam structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on paper's natural porosity which causes dust, the patent uses a reticulated foam structure with controlled pore architecture. This synthetic porous material provides air-permeability without the dust-generating characteristics of paper fibers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Strength

If a non-perforated polyolefin layer is used without reticulated structure, then mechanical strength is improved, but air-permeability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidair-permeability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system where the polyolefin base material provides mechanical strength and chemical stability, while the reticulated foam layer provides air-permeability. The synergistic combination resolves the contradiction between strength and air-flow properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging material has different local properties: the polyolefin base material layer provides mechanical strength and barrier properties, while the reticulated foam layer provides air-permeability. Each layer performs its specific function locally, resolving the contradiction between strength and air-permeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution prevents paper dust and fluffing, ensures no leakage of contents, and maintains satisfactory air-permeability and mechanical strength, making it suitable for packaging sensitive items like oxygen scavengers and desiccants without the risks associated with perforated films.

Implementation Method 1

a reticulated reinforcing layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReticulated structure: Reticulated Foam

Implementation Method 2

the non-perforated polyolefin layer has a thickness of 3 μm to 18 μm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir permeability: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

a step of heat-sealing a peripheral edge of the bag-shaped air-permeable packaging material by a heat pressing method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pressing: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11945630B2Air-permeable packaging material, and package and production method therefor

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 ENEOS MATERIALS CORP

AI summary

An air-permeable packaging material which includes a non-perforated polyolefin layer having a thickness of 3 μm to 18 μm and constituted of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene and a net-shaped reinforcing layer; a package which includes the air-permeable packaging material, the non-perforated polyolefin layer facing outward, and which contains an oxygen scavenger, a desiccant, a deodorant, an insect repellent, or a fragrance; and a method for producing the package.