Low Friction ISBM HDPE Bottle Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers with surface coatings for removing food products are inefficient due to customization issues, environmental impact, and recycling challenges, as different coatings are required for various contents and can be toxic.
Innovation Solution
The use of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in combination with the injection stretch blow molding (ISBM) process to create containers with specific surface characteristics, such as low friction and high water contact angle, allowing for efficient removal of contents without coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surface coatings are used to facilitate content removal, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to customization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the coating layer from the container system, relying instead on the inherent surface properties of the HDPE polymer formed through the ISBM process. This removes the need for separate coating applications and customizations while maintaining content removal effectiveness through the polymer's natural low friction and high water contact angle characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the container by controlling the HDPE polymer's molecular weight, dispersity, and processing conditions to achieve specific surface characteristics (low friction coefficient, high water contact angle). This allows the base polymer to provide the desired content release properties without requiring additional coating layers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different surface coatings are applied for different contents, then adaptability improves, but loss of substance increases due to recycling difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal HDPE polymer formulation that can be used for all container types and contents. The ISBM process produces a consistent surface profile that works effectively with various food products, eliminating the need for content-specific coatings and enabling all containers to be recycled together as a single material stream.
3Ease of operation
If impregnating liquid coatings are used, then ease of operation improves, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the impregnating liquid coating entirely, relying on the solid HDPE polymer surface properties to facilitate content removal. This eliminates the need for potentially toxic lubricating substances while maintaining the desired ease of operation through the polymer's inherent low friction and high water contact angle characteristics.
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 ISBM containers with HDPE surfaces facilitate easier removal of contents, reduce residual waste, enable mass production without content customization, and allow for easier recycling by eliminating the need for different coatings.
Implementation Method 1
containers that have surface characteristics allowing for the efficient removal of contents... low friction... coefficient of friction
Implementation Method 2
high water contact angle... water contact angle 76° or higher
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
Disclosed is an injection stretch blow molded (ISBM) container containing a surface having a static coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.15 to 0.21, a dynamic COF of 0.06 to 0.1, wherein the surface retains a water contact angle of 76° or higher for up to three minutes after wetting of the surface with a water drop of 14 to 16 mm diameter and the container is made with a polymeric composition containing a high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a dispersity (Mw/Mn) of 9 or higher as measured by GPC; a MI2 of 1 g/10 min or higher as measured by ASTM D-1238; 190° C./2.16 kg, as measured by ASTM D-1238; and an environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) at 100% Igepal of > 150 hours as measured by ASTM D-1693, B.