Dilute Hypochlorite Packaging Composite Barriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging solutions for dilute hypochlorite compositions fail to provide sufficient storage stability, particularly in aerosol containers, where loss of available chlorine can be unacceptable, and existing containers do not effectively maintain stability when combined with propellants.

Innovation Solution

The development of novel container technologies such as plastic aerosol containers, dual delivery systems, bag-in-can devices, dual chambered devices, expandable chamber devices, precompression trigger sprayers, mechanically pressurized devices, and ultrasonic sprayers that separate or isolate dilute hypochlorite from propellants or other incompatible components, using materials like ethylene-based polymers and non-hydrocarbon propellants to enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional packaging materials (HDPE, Teflon, glass) are used for dilute hypochlorite, then manufacturing ease or chemical resistance is improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to unacceptable loss of available chlorine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multilayer container construction combining different polymer materials (e.g., PP outer layer with LDPE/LLDPE inner layer, or HDPE with EVOH barrier layer) to achieve both manufacturing feasibility and superior storage stability. The composite structure leverages the chemical resistance and molding properties of one material while adding protective barrier properties of another, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and storage stability for dilute hypochlorite compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If propellants are combined with dilute hypochlorite in aerosol containers, then delivery functionality is improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to unwanted reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery functionalityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the aerosol system into separate compartments: one containing the dilute hypochlorite composition and another containing the propellant. This segmentation prevents direct contact and unwanted reactions between the hypochlorite and propellant during storage, while still enabling functional delivery when the device is activated. The physical separation resolves the contradiction between delivery functionality and storage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary barrier layer (such as EVOH or other hypochlorite-resistant materials) between the dilute hypochlorite composition and the propellant in aerosol containers. This intermediary prevents direct interaction between the two components, eliminating unwanted reactions while maintaining the aerosol delivery function, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dilute hypochlorite is stored in lined aerosol cans or flexible pouches, then container versatility is improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to insufficient protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer versatilityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that aerosol cans and flexible pouches must be constructed with composite materials including hypochlorite-resistant barrier layers (such as EVOH, PP, or other suitable polymers) combined with structural support layers. This composite construction provides both the versatility of aerosol/pouch delivery formats and the storage stability needed to prevent degradation of dilute hypochlorite, resolving the contradiction between container versatility and storage reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS7517568B2Packaging for dilute hypochlorite
Publication Date: 2009.04.14 THE CLOROX CO

AI summary

This invention relates to packaging for dilute hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid compositions to produce stable compositions. Examples of suitable packaging containers are a bag-in-can device, a plastic aerosol container, a dual delivery container, a dual chambered device, an expandable chamber device, a precompression trigger sprayer, a mechanically pressurized device, and an ultrasonic sprayer.