EVOH Barrier Layer in Co-Injection Molded Food Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product containers often allow oxygen and moisture to penetrate, which can negatively impact the freshness and quality of stored food products.
Innovation Solution
A food product storage container composition featuring a polypropylene co-polymer, a tie additive, and Ethylene vinyl alcohol, with the Ethylene vinyl alcohol forming a barrier layer between two skin layers to reduce oxygen ingress, and a color concentrate for co-injection molding to create a multi-layered structure that enhances barrier protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealed container is used to store food products, then the freshness and quality of the food product is maintained, but oxygen and moisture may still penetrate the container and seal, negatively impacting the food product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-layer container structure where an inner barrier layer (EVOH) is encapsulated between two outer skin layers (polypropylene copolymer). This composite structure provides superior oxygen and moisture barrier properties compared to single-material containers, directly addressing the penetration issue while maintaining sealed container benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different functional properties to different layers: the outer skin layers provide structural integrity and sealing, while the inner barrier layer specifically provides oxygen and moisture barrier protection. This localized functional differentiation solves the penetration problem without compromising overall container reliability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a multi-layer structure with barrier layer is implemented, then oxygen ingress is reduced and food freshness is maintained, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to co-injection molding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated container structure formed by co-injection molding. The barrier layer and skin layers are combined in one manufacturing process, creating a unified multi-layer structure that reduces oxygen ingress while managing manufacturing complexity through process integration rather than assembly of separate components
3Reliability
If the barrier layer is fully encapsulated between skin layers, then the barrier protection is enhanced and oxygen penetration is prevented, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for proper layer encapsulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the barrier layer first, then encapsulating it with the skin layers in a controlled co-injection molding sequence. This sequential layer formation ensures proper encapsulation before the structure solidifies, enhancing barrier protection while managing precision requirements through process control
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 multi-layered structure effectively prevents oxygen and moisture ingress, maintaining the freshness and quality of food products by ensuring the barrier layer is fully encapsulated and providing sufficient overlap with the container's cover, thus extending the shelf life of stored food.
Implementation Method 1
The inner layer may be a barrier layer configured to reduce oxygen ingress into the food product storage container
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for a food product storage container includes a polypropylene co-polymer, a tie additive, a color concentrate, and Ethylene vinyl alcohol. The ethylene vinyl alcohol may be between 3 and 10% by weight of the food product storage container. The composition further comprises small particle talc. The composition may be configured to be co-injection molded to form the food product storage container which may reduce an ingress of moisture and/or oxygen.