Lubricating Layer for Viscous Fluid Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container technologies fail to effectively improve the sliding properties of viscous substances, such as mayonnaise and ketchup, leading to poor discharge and adhesion issues, even when lubricant additives or hydrophobic oxide particles are used.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition is applied to the inner surface of containers, comprising a high-boiling liquid dispersion medium with dispersed organic solid particles, which form a lubricating layer that enhances sliding properties by allowing the particles to roll with the fluid, preventing adhesion and improving discharge efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a liquid film is formed on the surface of the base material, then the sliding property is improved, but the content still adheres on the bottom of the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding propertyVSAvoidadhesion on bottom surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite coating composition containing both organic solvent and inorganic particles (such as silica or alumina) dispersed therein. This composite formulation creates a coating layer that combines the lubricating effect of the organic solvent with the non-adherent properties of the inorganic particles, simultaneously improving sliding property while preventing adhesion on the bottom surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates different functional zones within the coating layer: the organic solvent provides lubrication for sliding surfaces, while the inorganic particles concentrated in certain areas provide non-adherent properties. This local differentiation of material properties allows the coating to perform multiple functions - improving sliding where needed while preventing adhesion in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If hydrophobic oxide particles are adhered on the inner surface, then non-adhering property is improved, but sliding property becomes very weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-adhering propertyVSAvoidsliding property
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two previously separate approaches into a single coating system: it combines hydrophobic oxide particles (for non-adhering property) with organic solvents having appropriate viscosity and surface tension (for sliding property). The resulting composite coating layer integrates both functions, allowing particles to provide non-adhesion while the liquid matrix provides lubrication for sliding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If lubricant additive is added to the synthetic resin, then sliding property is improved, but the complexity of material formulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding propertyVSAvoidmaterial formulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an organic solvent as an intermediary substance that forms a liquid film between the synthetic resin base material and the viscous content. This intermediary layer provides the sliding property without requiring complex modification of the resin itself, simplifying the overall material formulation while still achieving the desired lubrication effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 lubricating layer significantly improves the sliding properties of viscous substances, ensuring effective discharge and reducing adhesion on the container bottom, even for substances with high viscosities like mayonnaise and ketchup, without requiring additional treatments like heating.

Implementation Method 1

the solid particles are capable of rolling in the lubricating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

forming a lubricating layer on the inner surface of a container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Data Source

PatentEP3159385B1Lubricant-layer-forming coating composition for enhancing lubricity with respect to fluid substance
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA LTD
  • EP3159385B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3159385B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP3159385B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A coating composition for forming a lubricating layer 3 on the surface of a base material 1 formed in a predetermined shape so as to exhibit improved sliding property to fluid substances, the coating composition containing, as a dispersion medium, a liquid 5 that is a component constituting the lubricating layer 3, and the dispersion medium containing solid particles 7 dispersed therein as a component constituting the lubricating layer 3. The lubricating layer 3 formed by using the coating composition exhibits more improved sliding property to fluid substances. The coating composition, therefore, can be favorably used for forming the lubricating layer 3 on the inner surfaces of the packing materials such as containers and lids.