Encapsulated Graphene Cold-End Coating for Glass Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The application of traditional hot-end metal oxide coatings on glass containers is complex and costly, involving volatile byproducts that require management, and there is a need for a simpler, cost-effective alternative that provides scratch resistance and lubricious properties.
Innovation Solution
A cold-end coating for glass containers is developed, comprising encapsulated graphene within an organic polymer matrix, applied directly onto the glass substrate post-annealing, eliminating the need for a traditional hot-end coating while providing scuff resistance and lubricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional hot-end metal oxide coating is applied through CVD, then scratch resistance and glass strength are improved, but process complexity and cost increase due to volatile byproduct management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hot-end metal oxide coating step from the traditional two-coating process. By applying only a cold-end coating containing polyethylene wax and fatty acids after annealing, the complex CVD process with volatile byproduct management is removed, while still providing scratch resistance and improved glass strength through the cold-end coating alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive and complex hot-end coating process with a simpler, more economical cold-end coating approach. The cold-end coating uses readily available materials (polyethylene wax, fatty acids) and standard spraying equipment, eliminating the need for specialized CVD equipment and complex byproduct management systems
2Reliability
If a hot-end coating is applied before annealing, then scratch resistance is improved, but the process becomes more costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional coating sequence by eliminating the hot-end coating applied before annealing and relying solely on the cold-end coating applied after annealing. This reversal maintains scratch resistance through the cold-end coating's lubricious properties while significantly reducing manufacturing cost and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter of coating application from pre-annealing (hot-end) to post-annealing (cold-end). This parameter change allows the use of simpler materials and application methods while achieving the same functional outcomes of scratch resistance and surface protection
3Reliability
If both hot-end and cold-end coatings are applied, then comprehensive protection is achieved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hot-end coating step from the traditional two-coating process, demonstrating that the cold-end coating alone can provide comprehensive protection including scratch resistance, lubricity, and surface protection. This extraction simplifies the overall process while maintaining protective functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the cold-end coating universal by designing it to perform multiple functions that traditionally required both hot-end and cold-end coatings. The cold-end coating provides scratch resistance, lubricious properties, and surface protection, eliminating the need for the separate hot-end coating layer
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 cold-end coating effectively enhances glass container durability and ease of handling through improved scuff resistance and lubricious properties, reducing complexity and costs associated with traditional coating processes.
Implementation Method 1
applying the coating composition over an exterior surface of a glass substrate having a container shape with at least a portion of the liquid phase evaporating out of the solution to deposit a cold-end coating over the exterior surface of the glass substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A glass container is disclosed that includes a glass substrate and a cold-end coating applied over, and preferably in direct contact with, an exterior surface of the glass substrate. The cold-end coating includes encapsulated graphene in which graphene particles are surrounded by and distributed within a polymer matrix material. The graphene may include multilayer graphene and the polymer matrix material may include ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene oxide, or both ethylene acrylic acid copolymer and polyethylene oxide. A method of applying a cold-end coating during manufacture of a glass container is also disclosed in which a coating composition is applied over an exterior surface of a glass substrate having a container shape. The coating composition is a heterogeneous solution that includes one or more emulsified organic polymers and suspended graphene.