Inner Barrier Paper Packaging for Oxygen and Water Vapor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging materials for food face challenges in providing effective barriers against water vapor and oxygen penetration while being recyclable and cost-effective, often requiring complex layered structures that are inefficient and costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A laminate packaging material composed of two paper substrates with coatings on the inside, forming barriers against oxygen and water vapor, respectively, which are connected to form a laminate that is recyclable and does not require additional protective layers, using cellulose fibers and biodegradable polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic films and aluminum foil are used to form effective barriers against water vapor and oxygen, then the barrier performance is improved, but the recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using biodegradable polymer coatings instead of conventional plastic films or aluminum foil. The coating layer (5-50 µm thick) is applied to the inner surface of the paper substrate, providing effective barrier performance while maintaining recyclability through biodegradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite packaging material consisting of a paper substrate combined with a biodegradable polymer coating. This composite structure integrates the barrier properties of the polymer coating with the recyclability and biodegradability of the paper substrate, achieving both protection and environmental compatibility.
2Reliability
If multiple layers or additional coating material are applied to protect coatings from environmental influences, then the barrier protection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the barrier coating on the inner surface facing the food rather than on the outer surface. This inversion allows the coating to be protected from environmental influences by the paper substrate itself, eliminating the need for additional protective outer layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging structure is segmented into two functional parts: the paper substrate provides mechanical strength and protection from environmental influences, while the thin polymer coating layer provides the barrier function. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring multiple layers.
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 a cost-effective, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging material with efficient barriers against water vapor and oxygen penetration, reducing the need for additional protective layers and enabling easy manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a coating is applied to at least one side of the first paper substrate which forms a barrier against the penetration of oxygen and the oxygen transmission rate through the first paper substrate at a temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50% is at least 0.1 cm3/(m2·d·bar) and at most 5000 cm3/(m2·d·bar)
Implementation Method 2
a coating is applied to at least one side of the second paper substrate which forms a barrier against the penetration of water vapor and the water vapor transmission rate through the second paper substrate at a temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 85% is at least 0.1 g/(m2·d ) and at most 200 g/(m2·d )
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging material for food is proposed, which packaging material comprises a first and a second paper substrate, wherein a coating is applied on at least one side of the first paper substrate, which coating forms a barrier against the penetration of oxygen, and wherein a coating is applied on at least one side of the second paper substrate, which coating forms a barrier against the penetration of water vapour, and wherein the first and the second paper substrate are connected to one another in the packaging material, with the result that the coating of the first paper substrate and the coating of the second paper substrate face one another.