Biodegradable Composite Container for Moisture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biodegradable packaging materials for cosmetic products face challenges with moisture resistance and durability, especially in elevated temperatures, leading to premature degradation and reduced shelf-life.
Innovation Solution
A dual-layer biodegradable composite material is developed, comprising a water-repellent polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolymer layer coated over a wood-plastic composite layer, which provides enhanced mechanical durability and moisture resistance, suitable for use in cosmetic containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biopolymers are used for cosmetic containers, then mechanical durability is sufficient, but moisture resistance is poor leading to premature degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure consisting of an inner layer made from a first biopolymer and an outer layer made from a second biopolymer. The inner layer provides moisture resistance while the outer layer provides mechanical durability and structural integrity. This composite approach allows both layers to work together to achieve both moisture resistance and extended shelf-life, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Temperature
If PLA is used for container walls, then processing is easy and price is low, but temperature resistance above 40°C in moist conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a composite structure where the outer layer is made from a biopolymer suitable for injection moulding (such as PLA) that provides ease of manufacture, while the inner layer is made from a heat-resistant biopolymer that provides temperature resistance in moist conditions. This composite approach allows the container to maintain both ease of manufacture and temperature resistance by assigning different functions to different layers.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable materials are used for packaging, then environmental sustainability is improved, but moisture barrier properties are poor allowing water evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where the inner layer is specifically designed with moisture barrier properties to prevent water evaporation, while the overall container remains made from biodegradable materials for environmental sustainability. The inner layer acts as a functional barrier that addresses the moisture loss issue without compromising the biodegradable nature of the packaging.
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 composite material effectively maintains performance in hot and moist conditions, ensuring extended shelf-life and environmental sustainability by degrading at industrial composting conditions, while being cost-efficient to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a water-repellent polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolymer layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a container and a closure comprised of a dual layer biodegradable composite material. In addition, the invention concerns a method for forming such container and closure, as well as use thereof. In particular, the present invention concerns a container suitable to be used with liquid cosmetic product, especially for such exposed for hot moist environmental conditions.