Antimicrobial Packaging Material With Non-Migrating Microparticles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging, containers, and delivery devices for compositions susceptible to contamination face issues with contamination of non-contacted parts, retro-contamination, and migration of antimicrobial agents, which are costly and potentially toxic.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of microparticles, such as metal oxide particles, into a matrix to provide antimicrobial properties without agent migration, using a manufacturing process like aerosol pyrolysis to create uniformly distributed, individualized particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical sealing means (caps, valves, membranes) are used to isolate uncontaminated composition, then contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the antimicrobial function from separate sealing components and integrates it directly into the container material matrix. Antimicrobial agents are incorporated into the plastic matrix itself, eliminating the need for complex physical sealing means while maintaining contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the container material by incorporating antimicrobial agents (such as silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide, or organic biocides) into the plastic matrix. This transforms the passive container into an active antimicrobial system that prevents contamination without requiring complex mechanical sealing structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If antimicrobial agents are incorporated into packaging materials, then contamination prevention is improved, but agent migration into composition occurs causing toxicity concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a concentrated antimicrobial zone within the container wall matrix. The antimicrobial agents are embedded in the plastic structure where they exert their effect on the container surface and any biofilm formation, while the composition itself remains separate and unaffected by direct agent migration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention accepts that the container is a single-use or limited-use item. The antimicrobial agents are incorporated to protect the composition during its shelf life and initial use, after which the container is discarded. This eliminates the need for long-term stability of the antimicrobial agents in direct contact with the composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If high levels of preservatives are used to prevent contamination, then contamination prevention is improved, but composition safety and acceptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidpreservative toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the antimicrobial protection function from the composition itself. Instead of adding high levels of preservatives to the composition, the antimicrobial agents are placed in a separate container matrix that provides protection without requiring the composition to contain harmful concentrations of biocides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Prevents contamination and biofilm formation while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness without agent migration, reducing preservative needs and avoiding toxicity, suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

Implementation Method 1

as a result of their size, these two types of agents (nano-objects and organic compounds) can migrate and diffuse to a significant extent from the matrix into the composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

Incorporation of antimicrobial microparticles into a solid matrix that prevents the migration of these agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12617929B2Use of materials incorporating microparticles for avoiding the proliferation of contaminants

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 PYLOTE

AI summary

A solid material including a matrix, dispersed in which are microparticles of at least one antimicrobial agent for preventing, limiting and/or eliminating the contamination of the material and/or the contamination of a composition which is in contact with the material for at least a given time, and/or preventing, eliminating and/or slowing down the formation of biofilms on the surface of the material, wherein the antimicrobial agent is an oxide of at least one positively charged metal ion and the antimicrobial agent does not migrate out of the material. Also, the use of such material for manufacturing an article, to the process for manufacturing the article, and to the article obtained. In particular, the article is selected from stoppers, lids, seals, caps, covers, plugs and valves intended for sealing bottles, flasks, jars, cans, canisters, barrels, tanks, or various containers used for packaging and/or storing food products, dietetic products, cosmetic products, dermatological products or pharmaceutical products.