Antimicrobial Packaging Material for Food Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paper-based packaging materials in direct contact with food or beverages can lead to the growth of microorganisms when they come into contact with liquid products, as they may not effectively inhibit microbial growth, especially when leaks occur.
Innovation Solution
A packaging material comprising cellulose with an antimicrobial agent, such as copper sulfate, adhered to a substrate, which is applied as a coating to the inner surface of cartons to extend around the interior space and disperse into any leaking beverages, inhibiting microbial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If paper-based packaging material is used in direct contact with food or beverage, then the packaging is cost-effective and simple, but microorganisms may grow on the packaging material when liquid leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines paper-based substrate with copper-containing antimicrobial coating to create a composite packaging material that maintains the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of paper while adding microbial protection through the copper component
Solution Approach 2:
The copper-containing coating acts as an intermediary layer between the liquid beverage and the paper substrate, preventing direct contact that would enable microbial growth while allowing the packaging to remain structurally simple
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial coating is applied to the packaging material, then microbial growth is inhibited, but the packaging material complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameter of the packaging material by incorporating copper salts or copper compounds into the coating, providing antimicrobial functionality without fundamentally changing the packaging structure
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial coating is applied specifically to the inner surface of the packaging material that contacts the beverage, providing localized protection where it is most needed while keeping the rest of the packaging simple
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 antimicrobial packaging material effectively prevents the growth of microorganisms on the packaging and in any leaking beverages, providing a stable and effective barrier against fungal and bacterial growth while maintaining a low cost and high stability.
Implementation Method 1
an antimicrobial agent adhered to a substrate
Implementation Method 2
at least some of the antimicrobial agent becomes dispersed in at least a portion of the liquid beverage leaking from the inner container within the carton
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A packaging material includes an antimicrobial agent adhered to a substrate. The antimicrobial agent can include copper, and the packaging material can include cellulose. The substrate can be paperboard, and the copper can be a copper salt, such as copper sulfate. The packaging material may be provided by causing adherence between the substrate and the antimicrobial agent, such as by coating the substrate with the antimicrobial agent. Then, the packaging material may be cut into sheets. The sheets may be formed into cartons or other suitable packages.