Coated Paper Packaging Using Bio-Based Polymer Wax Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional coated papers for packaging are not sustainable due to the use of ecologically undesirable components for achieving heat-sealability and hydrophobicity, and they require additional investments when replacing plastic packaging materials.

Innovation Solution

A coated paper is developed using a coating comprising wax and a polymer selected from polyester, polysaccharide, polysaccharide ester, polysaccharide ether, and polysaccharide ether ester, which provides excellent hydrophobicity, barrier properties, and heat-sealability, allowing for the replacement of conventional copolymers and enabling production on existing machinery without additional investments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional copolymers (styrene-butadiene, styrene-acrylic) are used in the coating to achieve heat-sealability and hydrophobicity, then the packaging material obtains sufficient heat-sealability and barrier properties, but the product becomes ecologically undesirable and not sustainable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat-sealabilityVSAvoidecological undesirability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by replacing conventional petroleum-based copolymers with bio-based polymers (polyester, polysaccharide, polysaccharide ester, polysaccharide ether, or polysaccharide ether ester). This parameter change maintains the functional properties (heat-sealability, hydrophobicity, barrier properties) while eliminating the harmful ecological aspects of the original materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite coating materials combining wax with bio-based polymers to achieve the desired functional properties. The composite structure leverages the complementary characteristics of each component: wax provides hydrophobicity and barrier properties, while the bio-based polymer provides heat-sealability and sustainability, replacing the need for conventional copolymers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If plastic films are used as packaging materials to achieve foldability and heat-sealability, then the material can be folded according to the outer shape and heat-sealed, but the amount of plastic produced increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefoldabilityVSAvoidamount of plastic
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition from plastic to coated paper with bio-based polymer coating, maintaining the functional properties of foldability and heat-sealability while reducing plastic consumption. The coating layer on the paper substrate provides the necessary functionality without requiring the bulk material to be plastic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional coated paper is used to replace plastic films, then the material can be produced on paper machines, but additional investments in new machinery are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction on paper machineVSAvoidadditional machinery investments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing paper machine infrastructure universal by developing a coating formulation that can be applied using conventional paper machine equipment. The bio-based polymer coating system is designed to be compatible with existing paper manufacturing processes, eliminating the need for dedicated new machinery while maintaining production capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If conventional coated paper uses various components to achieve sufficient heat-sealability and hydrophobicity, then the desired barrier properties are obtained, but the product is not sustainable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier propertiesVSAvoidsustainability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing conventional petroleum-based polymers with bio-based alternatives (polyester, polysaccharide, polysaccharide ester, polysaccharide ether, or polysaccharide ether ester). This parameter change maintains the barrier properties and functional performance while improving the sustainability and environmental compatibility of the coating material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 coated paper is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective, maintaining heat-sealability and barrier properties while reducing the need for additional adhesives and investments in new machinery, making it a sustainable alternative to plastic and conventional coated papers.

Implementation Method 1

the coating comprises a wax and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polysaccharide, polysaccharide ester, polysaccharide ether and polysaccharide ether ester

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

The coated paper is preferably heat-sealable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat-sealability: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20240279876A1Coated paper for use as packaging material
Publication Date: 2024.08.22 NEENAH GESSNER GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a, preferably heat-sealable, coated paper comprising a cellulose layer and a coating on at least one side of the cellulose layer, wherein the coating comprises a wax and a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polysaccharide, polysaccharide ester, polysaccharide ether and polysaccharide ether ester, and a packaging comprising the coated paper, as well as a method of manufacturing a coated paper.