Cyclic Olefin Sealing Element for Low-Oxygen Vessel Closures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vessel closures with low PVC content have inadequate oxygen barrier properties and often require oxygen scavengers like sodium sulfite, which can contaminate the contents and cause allergic reactions, while those with high PVC content are costly and difficult to process.

Innovation Solution

A vessel closure with a sealing element composed of a polymer composition that includes at least 1 wt.-% of a cyclic olefin polymer, which has low oxygen permeability and can be sterilized, minimizing PVC content and avoiding the use of oxygen scavengers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If PVC content in sealing element is reduced to lower costs and improve processability, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture improve, but oxygen barrier properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidoxygen barrier properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the sealing element by incorporating cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and cyclic olefin polymer (COP) materials with specific oxygen barrier properties, replacing traditional PVC-based materials to achieve both low cost and high oxygen barrier performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite polymer materials combining COC and COP in specific ratios (COC: 70-90 wt%, COP: 10-30 wt%) to create a sealing element that leverages the complementary properties of both materials for optimal oxygen barrier and manufacturing characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If oxygen scavengers like sodium sulfite are added to low PVC polymer compositions to improve oxygen barrier properties, then oxygen barrier properties improve, but harmful factors increase due to contamination and allergic reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen barrier propertiesVSAvoidcontamination and allergic reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the inherent oxygen barrier capability of COC/COP polymers into a beneficial feature, eliminating the need for oxygen scavengers like sodium sulfite that cause contamination and allergic reactions, thereby transforming the material selection into a solution that prevents harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inherently stable COC/COP polymer materials that provide long-lasting oxygen barrier protection without requiring additional oxygen scavenger additives, effectively replacing short-lived scavenger chemicals with durable polymer-based protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution provides a cost-effective sealing element with low oxygen permeability and minimal migration, ensuring the integrity of contents without the need for sodium sulfite, thus preventing contamination and allergic reactions.

Implementation Method 1

the polymer composition comprises at least 1 wt.-% of a cyclic olefin polymer... the sealing element has low oxygen permeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxygen permeability barrier: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS20260054887A1Vessel closure with sealing element, vessel with vessel closure and method for producing a closed vessel

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 SILGAN HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

The invention relates to a vessel closure with a sealing element. The sealing element comprises a polymer composition. The polymer composition comprises at least 1 wt.-% of a cyclic olefin polymer. The oxygen transmission rate—OTR—of the polymer composition, determined according to DIN 53380, is at most 3000 cm3 m−2 d−1 bar−1.