Hygroscopic Heat-Sealable Layer for Moisture-Sensitive Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging containers for moisture-sensitive products, such as blood glucose level measuring sensors, face issues with irregular surfaces due to moisture absorbents, which can lead to tearing, damage to the gas-barrier layer, increased bulk, and higher production and transport costs, as well as adverse effects on the contents.

Innovation Solution

A hygroscopic packaging container composed of two gas-barrier multilayer films with a hygroscopic heat-sealable layer that absorbs moisture without the need for additional moisture absorbents, utilizing a heat-sealable resin containing a moisture absorbent, and optionally a ready-release heat-sealable layer for enhanced sealing and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a moisture absorbent such as silica gel is filled together with the product in the packaging container, then moisture absorption effect is improved, but the packaging container surface becomes irregular and prone to tearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture absorption effectVSAvoidpackaging container surface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the moisture absorbent function with the heat-sealable layer by incorporating hygroscopic particles into the resin matrix. This merging eliminates the need for separate moisture absorbent filling while maintaining the packaging container's surface integrity and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-sealable layer is given multiple functions: it provides heat sealing capability, surface smoothness, and moisture absorption through the incorporated hygroscopic particles. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating moisture absorption into the structural layer without compromising surface integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a moisture absorbent is filled in the packaging container, then moisture absorption effect is improved, but the gas-barrier layer may be damaged and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture absorption effectVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By combining moisture absorption function with the heat-sealable layer, the patent eliminates the separate filling step for moisture absorbents. This integration streamlines the manufacturing process, improves productivity, and prevents damage to the gas-barrier layer that would occur with separate filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a moisture absorbent is filled in the packaging container, then moisture absorption effect is improved, but the packaging container bulk increases and transport costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture absorption effectVSAvoidpackaging container bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the moisture absorbent function into the existing heat-sealable layer structure, eliminating the need for additional separate moisture absorbent material. This integration maintains moisture absorption effectiveness while reducing overall packaging container bulk and associated transport costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If a moisture absorbent is filled in the packaging container, then moisture absorption effect is improved, but the moisture absorbent may become crushed and attach to contents causing adverse effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture absorption effectVSAvoidcontamination of product contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating hygroscopic particles into the heat-sealable layer matrix, the patent prevents the moisture absorbent from becoming loose and crushed. The particles remain firmly embedded in the resin structure, eliminating the risk of contamination to product contents while maintaining effective moisture absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient moisture absorption, prevents deterioration of products, reduces the risk of tearing, maintains the integrity of the gas-barrier layer, minimizes production and transport costs, and ensures stable preservation of contents over time.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the heat-sealable layers of the two gas-barrier multilayer films is a hygroscopic heat-sealable layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHygroscopic property: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

stacking their heat-sealable layer surfaces and heat sealing the peripheral parts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat sealing: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11400682B2Hygroscopic packaging container

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a hygroscopic packaging container which eliminates the necessity of filling a moisture absorbent and which has satisfactory working efficiency and is highly effective in moisture absorption. The hygroscopic packaging container is obtained from two gas-barrier multilayer films each comprising a gas-barrier layer and a heat-sealable layer, by stacking the gas-barrier multilayer films so that the surface of one of the heat-sealable layers overlies that of the other and heat-sealing the peripheral parts of the layers, at least one heat-sealable layer of the two gas-barrier multilayer films being a hygroscopic heat-sealable layer.