Biodegradable Sachet with Paper-Aluminum Composite Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a biodegradable and/or home compostable sachet that can withstand compressive loads, provide a moisture barrier, and maintain the integrity of solid consumer products in high humidity environments, while being suitable for use in non-climate controlled high-frequency stores.
Innovation Solution
A sachet comprising a multi-layer structure with a front and back film made from biodegradable materials, including a paper middle layer with high cellulose content and inner layers of polyvinyl alcohol, polybutylene succinate, or similar materials, forming a seal to contain an open cell foam with a water-soluble polymer and surfactants, providing a moisture barrier and compression resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable and/or home compostable sachet materials are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but moisture barrier performance deteriorates due to high moisture vapor transmission rate
Solution Approach 1:
The sachet employs a multi-layer composite structure combining biodegradable materials (paper middle layer with >85% cellulose content, biodegradable inner layers) with moisture barrier materials (aluminum foil layer, plastic outer layers). This composite approach allows the sachet to maintain biodegradability while achieving low moisture vapor transmission rate through the barrier properties of aluminum and plastic layers.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable sachet materials are used, then compostability is improved, but compressive strength deteriorates under shipping and storage loads
Solution Approach 1:
The sachet structure combines biodegradable materials (paper and biopolymer layers) with high-strength materials (aluminum foil, plastic layers) to create a composite that can withstand compressive loads of up to 20 psig during shipping and storage while maintaining compostability through proper material selection in the biodegradable layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The sachet is divided into distinct functional layers: biodegradable layers for environmental breakdown, aluminum foil for barrier and structural support, and plastic layers for sealing and protection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while working together as a unified structure.
3Loss of substance
If solid articles are stored in sachets, then product waste is reduced, but product protection from humidity and compression deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer composite sachet provides comprehensive protection for solid articles by combining moisture barrier layers (aluminum foil, plastic) to prevent humidity ingress, structural layers to resist compressive loads, and biodegradable layers for environmental sustainability, thereby protecting the product while reducing waste through single-use 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 sachet effectively protects solid articles from compressive loads and humidity, ensuring stability and ease of use, while being biodegradable and compostable, suitable for storing consumer products in high-frequency stores.
Implementation Method 1
a sachet comprising a multi-layer structure with a front and back film made from biodegradable materials... forming a seal to contain an open cell foam
Implementation Method 2
A sachet product comprising a biodegradable and/or home compostable sachet... that can be recycled in a paper repulping system or be organically recycled (e.g. via home composting or industrial composting where available)
Data Source
AI summary
A sachet product that includes a biodegradable and/or home compostable sachet comprising a front film and a back film. In some examples, the front film and back film can include a middle layer that can contain paper with greater than 85% cellulose and an inner layer that can include different material, including but not limited to polyvinyl alcohol or polyhydroxylalkonate. The sachet can include a compartment adapted for storing a solid article where the solid article is an open cell foam. The open cell foam can include a water-soluble polymer and a surfactant.