Multi-layer Seal with Hot Melt Polymer Patches for Moisture Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-layer products for sealing containers storing consumer products lack effective moisture barrier properties and efficient release mechanisms, which can lead to product damage and adherence issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer product with pre-formed lines of separation in a first layer and hot melt polymer patches on an adhesive layer, where the patches are larger than the releasable portions, providing enhanced moisture barrier properties and non-tacky surfaces to prevent product sticking, applied using a coating or spraying process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-layer product with adhesive layer is used to seal container cavities, then the seal effectiveness is improved, but the adhesive layer causes products to stick and adhere to the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is segmented by providing discrete patches of adhesive material in specific locations rather than a continuous layer. This segmentation allows the seal to adhere to the cavity while leaving non-adhesive areas where products are placed, preventing product sticking while maintaining seal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal have different properties: adhesive regions for bonding to the cavity and non-adhesive regions for product placement. The patches create local variations in adhesion quality, providing adhesive properties where needed and non-adhesive properties where products contact the seal.
2Device complexity
If the seal structure is simplified without patches, then the device complexity is reduced, but moisture barrier properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic patches are applied in advance to the adhesive layer before the seal is assembled. This preliminary action ensures that the non-adhesive, moisture-resistant properties are already in place where products will contact the seal, preventing moisture penetration without requiring complex additional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal uses a composite structure combining adhesive material with hydrophobic patches. This composite approach integrates moisture barrier functionality into the existing adhesive layer, providing both sealing and moisture protection without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If patches are applied to the adhesive layer, then moisture barrier and non-tacky properties are improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patches are designed to be self-adhering to the adhesive layer, utilizing the adhesive properties of the base layer to secure the hydrophobic patches in place. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional bonding steps or complex assembly processes, simplifying manufacturing despite adding functional 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 effectively prevents moisture from entering the container cavities, maintains product integrity, and allows easy release of contents without adhering to the adhesive layer, enhancing both moisture barrier and usability.
Implementation Method 1
Each patch is associated with a respective one of the one or more first portions and consisting of a hot melt polymer... non-tacky surfaces to prevent product sticking
Implementation Method 2
Each releasable portion of the cover film has low vapour transmission properties in the area which in use overlies the associated cavity, those low vapour transmission properties being created by a barrier patch with high vapour barrier properties
Implementation Method 3
applied using a coating or spraying process
Implementation Method 4
applied using a coating or spraying process
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A seal (1) for use with a container for storing and dispensing consumer products is described. The seal (1) includes a cover layer (2) having pre-formed lines of separation (4) defining one or more releasable portions (6), an adhesive layer (8) on the cover layer, and one or more patches (10) on the adhesive layer. Each patch (10) is associated with a respective one of the releasable portions (6) and consists of a hot melt polymer. The hot melt polymer can be applied to the adhesive layer (8) using a suitable coating or spraying process.