HDPE-EVOH-COC Barrier Blend for Tube Nozzle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing tube materials absorb antibacterial compounds and other substances like flavors and fragrances, leading to quality degradation of products, and traditional barrier materials are not effective for all organic compounds, requiring additional manufacturing steps and costs.
Innovation Solution
A tri-component barrier material blend of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is used for the tube shoulder/nozzle, with HDPE present in 60-90 wt%, reducing permeability and eliminating the need for additional inserts or surface treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional barrier materials are used to reduce flavor and fragrance loss, then flavor barrier properties are improved, but antibacterial compound adsorption is not effectively reduced due to different adsorption affinities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite barrier material comprising multiple polymer layers including polyolefin, polyamide, and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Each layer contributes different barrier properties, creating a multi-functional barrier that simultaneously protects against flavor loss and antibacterial compound adsorption, resolving the contradiction between flavor barrier performance and antibacterial compound protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition and structure of the barrier material by selecting specific polymers with tailored properties. The polyamide layer provides hydrogen bonding capability for antibacterial compound interaction, while the ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer layer provides oxygen and moisture barrier properties, collectively addressing both flavor preservation and antibacterial compound stability requirements.
2Strength
If the shoulder/nozzle portion is made thicker to maintain mechanical strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but antibacterial compound adsorption increases due to greater polymer volume
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder/nozzle portion is constructed using composite materials with low adsorption affinity for antibacterial compounds. The polyolefin base layer provides mechanical strength, while the thin coating of polyamide and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer provides barrier functionality without requiring increased thickness, thus maintaining strength while minimizing adsorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier properties are applied locally to the shoulder/nozzle portion through a multi-layer coating structure. The polyolefin provides bulk mechanical strength, while the thinner functional layers provide targeted barrier protection at the interface with the product, reducing overall polymer volume and antibacterial compound adsorption while maintaining local mechanical integrity.
3Reliability
If additional insert materials or surface treatments are added to reduce adsorption, then antibacterial compound protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the barrier functionality directly into the shoulder/nozzle molding process by using a multi-layer co-injection or extrusion technique. The polyolefin, polyamide, and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer layers are integrated into a single molded component, eliminating the need for separate inserts or post-manufacturing surface treatments, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining antibacterial compound protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer barrier structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the polyolefin layer provides mechanical strength and chemical inertness, the polyamide layer provides hydrogen bonding for antibacterial compound interaction, and the ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer layer provides oxygen and moisture barrier properties. This multi-functional integrated structure eliminates the need for separate components or treatments.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient barrier that maintains the quality of contents in small-sized tubes, offering an acceptable shelf life comparable to larger tubes, with reduced manufacturing costs and operational steps, while minimizing the absorption of flavor and antibacterial compounds.
Implementation Method 1
Polymers will have different adsorption affinities for flavors and for antibacterial compounds because of the differences in structure and polarity of these compounds
Implementation Method 2
the shoulder and nozzle are relatively thick compared to the remainder of a tube to maintain the mechanical strength of the tube
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided is a tube structure for packaging products. The tube structure can include a tube body and a tube shoulder/nozzle. The tube shoulder/nozzle can include a barrier material. The barrier material can include high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC).