Closure Oxygen Scavenging Structure with Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen scavenging technologies in containers, particularly for oxygen-sensitive foods and beverages like wine and fruit juices, face challenges in rapidly removing oxygen to extend shelf life without increasing costs or complicating recycling processes.
Innovation Solution
A novel oxygen scavenging structure (OSS) is introduced, which includes a minimal amount of catalyst dispersed in a specific volume within a closure, combined with a control means to regulate moisture passage and hydrogen generation, optimizing the catalyst's distribution and activity for efficient oxygen scavenging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catalyst is distributed throughout the entire container wall to rapidly scavenge oxygen, then oxygen scavenging effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oxygen scavenging function into two separate components: a catalyst-containing structure with minimal catalyst distributed in a specific volume, and a control means that regulates moisture passage. This segmentation allows the catalyst to be concentrated in a small region rather than distributed throughout the entire container wall, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining scavenging effectiveness through controlled hydrogen generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means acts as an intermediary between moisture and the catalyst. It regulates the passage of moisture to the catalyst, controlling when and how hydrogen is generated. This intermediary function allows the system to achieve rapid oxygen scavenging only when needed, without requiring the catalyst to be distributed throughout the entire container structure.
2Reliability
If oxidizable polymer and catalyst are incorporated throughout the container wall to scavenge oxygen, then oxygen protection is improved, but recyclability of the container deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the catalyst and hydrogen generation function from the container wall structure itself and places it in a separate catalyst-containing structure within the closure. This extraction allows the container wall to remain as pure PET or other recyclable materials without incorporated oxidizable polymers or catalysts, maintaining recyclability while still providing oxygen protection through the separate scavenging component.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen protection function is segmented into a separate closure component rather than being integrated into the container wall. The catalyst-containing structure and control means are positioned in the closure, allowing the container body to remain simple and recyclable while the closure provides the active oxygen scavenging functionality.
3Device complexity
If minimal catalyst is used in a specific volume within the closure, then cost and complexity are reduced, but oxygen scavenging speed may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control means is designed to regulate moisture passage to the catalyst, enabling preliminary control over when hydrogen generation occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when oxygen scavenging is needed, moisture can quickly reach the concentrated catalyst in the closure, enabling rapid oxygen removal without requiring the catalyst to be distributed throughout the entire container wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of catalyst distribution by concentrating minimal catalyst in a specific volume within the closure rather than distributing it throughout the container wall. The control means compensates for this concentration by regulating moisture passage to maximize the efficiency and speed of the concentrated catalyst, achieving rapid oxygen scavenging with reduced catalyst quantity and 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
This approach effectively extends the shelf life of oxygen-sensitive products by ensuring rapid oxygen removal while minimizing catalyst usage and maintaining cost-effectiveness, even for very sensitive consumables like vitamin C-containing juices.
Implementation Method 1
generating molecular hydrogen in a chemical reaction involving an active substance incorporated in the container
Implementation Method 2
A catalyst is associated with the container for catalyzing a reaction between the molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen
Implementation Method 3
a control means for controlling passage of moisture from the container to the active substance arranged to generate molecular hydrogen
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A container (22) includes an oxygen-sensitive beverage, for example a vitamin C-containing beverage. A closure (40) seals the mouth (28) of container (22). The closure includes an oxygen scavenging structure, for example a closure, which comprises a hydrogen generating means and a catalyst for catalysing a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.