Mono-Polyester Food Package With Peelable PET Laminate Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposable food packages with different materials for the base and lid parts are difficult to recycle together, leading to improper disposal of the lid and increased carbon footprint.
Innovation Solution
A mono polyester material package is developed, where at least 95 wt% of the package consists of polyester, with a laminate structure using oriented and amorphous PET layers, and a polyester-based varnish for a peelable and non-peelable attachment, ensuring recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different materials are used for the base and lid parts to fulfill different functional requirements, then the package performance is improved, but the recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making both the base and lid parts from the same polyester material (PET). The lid comprises a laminate of OPET and APET layers, both polyester-based, while the base is made of polyester material. This material uniformity enables the entire package to be recycled together in the same recycling stream, resolving the contradiction between functional performance and recyclability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating a laminate structure for the lid combining oriented polyester (OPET) and amorphous polyester (APET) layers. This composite approach allows the lid to meet functional requirements (flexibility, sealability, dimensional stability) while maintaining polyester material identity throughout, enabling recyclability.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is made flexible and peelable to meet lid requirements, then the ease of operation is improved, but the material complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using different physical states of polyester material - oriented polyester (OPET) for dimensional stability and amorphous polyester (APET) for flexibility and sealability. Both layers are polyester-based, maintaining material simplicity while achieving the required functional properties through parameter variation.
3Strength
If the base is made robust and dimensionally stable to meet base requirements, then the strength is improved, but the material selection becomes more restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by selecting polyester material for both base and lid components. The base is made of polyester material that provides the required robustness and dimensional stability, while the lid is made of polyester laminate providing flexibility. This homogeneous material choice expands versatility by enabling both components to be recycled together.
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
Enhances recyclability and reduces waste by ensuring the entire package is recycled, thus minimizing the carbon footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The second part comprises a laminate comprising an oriented Polyethylene Terephtalate (OPET) material layer and an amorphous Polyethylene Terephtalate (APET) layer
Implementation Method 2
The circumferential attachment zone comprises a first peelable zone and a second non-peelable zone
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a package, such as a food package, comprising a first part and a second part, the second part being sealed to the first part at a first part circumferential edge and in a circumferential attachment zone to form a sealed inner compartment, the attachment zone having a first peelable zone and a second non-peelable zone, the first part and the second part include polymeric materials, the package is a mono polyester material package, 95 wt % or more of the package is polyester material. The second part includes a laminate having an oriented Polyethylene Terephtalate (OPET) material layer and an amorphous Polyethylene Terephtalate (APET) layer, the amorphous Polyethylene Terephtalate layer facing the first part.