Anthraquinone Dye and Titanium Dioxide Composition for UV-Vis Light Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transparent plastic vessels fail to effectively protect light-sensitive therapeutics from photo-oxidation caused by UV-Vis light transmission, particularly in the challenging visible wavelength range of 600 nm-750 nm.

Innovation Solution

A thermoplastic composition comprising polyester, a first anthraquinone dye, a second anthraquinone dye that absorbs visible light above 650 nm, and titanium dioxide, which collectively absorb, reflect, and block UV-Vis light in the range of 190 nm-750 nm, achieving 1% or less transmission through a 0.5 mm thick plastic plaque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If transparent plastic vessels are used for storage and transport, then visibility and display of contents is improved, but light-sensitive therapeutics undergo photo-oxidation and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidphoto-oxidation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies colorants (yellow, brown, or green) to the plastic vessel that absorb light in the blue to red wavelength ranges. This coloration modifies the light transmission properties of the vessel, blocking harmful UV-Vis light while maintaining acceptable visibility. The colorants are incorporated into the plastic matrix during manufacturing, creating a light-filtering barrier that protects light-sensitive therapeutics from photo-oxidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite plastic material by combining base plastic with light-absorbing colorants. This composite structure integrates the protective function of light blocking with the structural and visual properties of the plastic, achieving both protection and visibility in a single material system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If colorants are added to absorb UV-Vis light, then protection from photo-oxidation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephoto-oxidation protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The colorants are incorporated into the plastic material during the manufacturing process, specifically during extrusion or molding. This preliminary action ensures uniform distribution of light-blocking agents throughout the vessel wall thickness, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing treatments or complex multi-step processes. The colorants are mixed with the plastic resin before forming, simplifying production while ensuring consistent protective properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If plastic vessel wall thickness is increased to block more light, then protection from photo-oxidation is improved, but visibility and display quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmission blockingVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing wall thickness to block light, the patent uses colorants that actively absorb specific wavelengths. This allows the vessel to maintain thin walls for visibility while the colorants provide the necessary light blocking function through their optical absorption properties rather than physical thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the plastic material by adding colorants with specific absorption spectra. This modifies the light transmission characteristics without changing the physical dimensions of the vessel wall, achieving protection through material property modification rather than geometric change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition effectively minimizes UV-Vis light transmission to the light-sensitive therapeutics, preventing photo-oxidation and spoilage, thereby ensuring the therapeutic value, coloration, and taste of the products are maintained.

Implementation Method 1

The two dyes absorb visible light to minimize transmission to reach the light-sensitive therapeutics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The pigment both reflects visible light chemically and blocks UV-Vis light physically to minimize its transmission to reach the light-sensitive therapeutics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the wavelengths of sunlight in the electromagnetic spectrum cause photo-oxidation of photo-sensitive molecules in food or other ingestible chemicals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto-oxidation: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS12291635B2Composition for protecting light sensitive materials
Publication Date: 2025.05.06 AVIENT CORP

AI summary

A composition to protect light-sensitive therapeutics includes a combination of two different anthraquinone dyes and titanium dioxide to protect the light-sensitive therapeutics from UV-Vis light in the range of 190 to 750 mm.