Aseptic Packaging Wetting Composition for Drying and Foam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wetting agent compositions for aseptic packaging of food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals do not effectively combine sheeting, defoaming, and association disruption agents to achieve optimal wetting and antimicrobial properties, leading to inefficiencies in packaging processes.
Innovation Solution
A wetting agent composition comprising a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and one or more association disruption agents, specifically alcohol ethoxylates and polyether compounds, is used to enhance the aseptic packaging process by reducing surface tension, foaming, and microbial contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wetting agent compositions are used, then basic wetting function is provided, but sheeting, defoaming, and association disruption properties are insufficient leading to poor antimicrobial efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by formulating a wetting agent composition that integrates multiple functional components: sheeting agents (e.g., alkyl polyglucosides), defoaming agents (e.g., silicone defoamers), and association disruption agents (e.g., ethoxylated alcohols). This composite formulation synergistically improves antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining manageable composition complexity through standardized ingredient combinations.
2Ease of operation
If sheeting agent concentration is increased to improve wetting, then surface tension reduction is enhanced, but foaming increases which interferes with packaging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of sheeting agents and defoaming agents into a single integrated composition. The defoaming agent (e.g., silicone-based defoamer) is combined with the sheeting agent at controlled ratios, allowing the composition to simultaneously reduce surface tension for effective wetting while suppressing foam formation that would interfere with packaging operations.
3Reliability
If contact time with wetting agent is extended to improve antimicrobial action, then microbial reduction is enhanced, but packaging process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration ratios of active ingredients in the wetting agent composition. By adjusting the concentrations of sheeting agents, defoaming agents, and association disruption agents to specific ranges, the composition achieves effective microbial reduction (e.g., 3-log or 5-log reduction) within shortened contact times (e.g., 10-60 seconds), thereby maintaining packaging process efficiency.
4Reliability
If multiple agents are combined to achieve optimal properties, then wetting and antimicrobial performance is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional wetting agent composition where each ingredient serves multiple purposes. For example, the sheeting agent not only reduces surface tension but also contributes to antimicrobial efficacy, while the association disruption agent simultaneously improves wetting uniformity and enhances antimicrobial action. This multi-functionality approach achieves optimal overall performance without proportionally increasing formulation complexity.
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 achieves improved wetting, drying, and antimicrobial efficacy, ensuring effective aseptic packaging by reducing contact angles and enhancing the spreading and penetrating properties of antimicrobial agents.
Implementation Method 1
Wetting agents are used in a variety of applications to lower the surface tension of water to allow a solution to wet surfaces more effectively
Implementation Method 2
The defoaming agent component may include an ethylene oxide containing surfactant configured for reducing the stability of foam that may be created by the one or more alcohol ethoxylate compounds
Implementation Method 3
contacting a package with a composition consisting essentially of a wetting agent, and an antimicrobial agent
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to wetting agent compositions and methods for making and using the wetting agent compositions. The compositions of the invention include a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and an association disruption agent. The wetting agent compositions of the present invention result in a faster draining/drying time on most substrates compared to conventional wetting agents. The wetting agent compositions of the present invention are especially suitable for use on plastic substrates.