Multi-Layer Polyethylene Film for Recyclable Heat-Sealed Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polyolefin-based packaging materials face challenges in recyclability, mechanical and thermal property deterioration, and poor heat-sealing properties, especially at low temperatures, leading to environmental pollution and damage during processing and use.

Innovation Solution

A polyethylene film with a multi-layer structure comprising specific ethylene polymers with controlled densities and thickness ratios, ensuring balanced falling ball impact and puncture strengths, and a defined melting point difference, allowing for excellent heat-sealing and durability even at low temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a polyolefin-based single material is used to achieve recyclability, then environmental friendliness is improved, but mechanical properties and thermal properties are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidmechanical and thermal properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The polyolefin film is divided into multiple layers with different ethylene polymer densities (0.935≤M1≤0.968 for outer layer, 0.900≤M2≤0.920 for intermediate layer, 0.850≤M3≤0.905 for inner layer), allowing each layer to contribute different properties while maintaining overall recyclability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure using multiple ethylene polymers with different densities and melting points in a single polyolefin film, achieving both recyclability and improved mechanical/thermal properties without using different material types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If polyolefin resin with inferior mechanical properties is used to maintain single-material structure, then recyclability is improved, but durability is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverecyclabilityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The film structure is segmented into outer, intermediate, and inner layers with progressively lower density polymers, where the outer layer provides durability and the inner layer provides heat-sealing properties, all while remaining single-material polyolefin

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the film have different polymer densities and properties - the outer layer (M1) has higher density for durability and scratch resistance, while the inner layer (M3) has lower density for heat-sealing, creating local quality variations within the single-material structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If polyolefin resin with inferior heat resistance is used to maintain single-material composition, then recyclability is improved, but heat-sealing properties are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverecyclabilityVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The film is segmented into layers with different melting points - the inner layer with lowest density (M3) has lowest melting point for easy heat-sealing, while outer layers have higher melting points for heat resistance, enabling heat-sealing at lower temperatures without damaging the structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner layer is designed with specific properties (lowest density, lowest melting point) optimized for heat-sealing function, while outer layers have properties optimized for heat resistance and durability, creating functional differentiation within the single-material film

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If a multi-layer structure with different polyolefin resins is used to improve mechanical and thermal properties, then property balance is improved, but cost and low-temperature durability are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical and thermal propertiesVSAvoidcost and low-temperature durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes specific parameter ranges for density (M1, M2, M3) and melting point differences to achieve the best balance of properties - for example, setting M1 between 0.935-0.968 and M3 between 0.850-0.905 to simultaneously achieve durability, heat-sealing properties, and cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12454120B2Polyethylene film having multi-layer structure and packaging material produced using the same
Publication Date: 2025.10.28 SK INNOVATION CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a polyethylene film having a multi-layer structure including an outer layer (A) including a first ethylene polymer having a density M1 of 0.935≤M1≤0.968; an intermediate layer (B) including a second ethylene polymer having a density M2 of 0.900≤M2≤0.920; and an inner layer (C) including a third ethylene polymer having a density M3 of 0.850≤M3≤0.905, wherein the outer layer (A), the intermediate layer (B), and the inner layer (C) are sequentially laminated to form the polyethylene film comprising the multi-layer structure, and wherein a falling ball impact strength per unit thickness and a puncture strength per unit thickness of the polyethylene film comprising the multi-layer structure are 3.0 to 15.0 g/μm and 0.2 to 0.4 N/μm, respectively, and a difference in melting point between the outer layer (A) and the inner layer (C) is 30 to 100° C.