Non-phthalate Plasticizer PVC Hose for Food Liquid Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

PVC hoses used for transporting food liquids face issues with flexibility loss and potential toxicity due to phthalate migration, which can lead to cracking and contamination of the transported fluid.

Innovation Solution

A flexible hose design featuring a PVC inner layer with a non-phthalate plasticizer agent having a low migration level, ensuring the hose maintains flexibility over time without adding toxicity to the transported fluid, comprising an outer protective layer and an inner PVC layer with a selected plasticizer agent such as adipates, benzoates, or DINCH®, which prevents fluid contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If phthalate plasticizers are used in PVC hoses, then cold flexibility is improved, but toxicity and fluid contamination occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold flexibilityVSAvoidtoxicity and fluid contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the plasticizer from phthalate to non-phthalate compounds (such as adipates, benzoates, or DINCH®), maintaining the desired cold flexibility while eliminating toxicity. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction by preserving the functional benefit while removing the harmful effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If phthalate plasticizers are used in PVC hoses, then processability and flexibility are improved, but flexibility is lost over time due to migration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessability and flexibilityVSAvoidflexibility retention over time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the plasticizer to non-phthalate compounds with lower migration characteristics. This parameter change maintains initial flexibility while significantly improving long-term flexibility retention, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and duration of action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 hose maintains mechanical flexibility unaltered with time, preventing fluid contamination and ensuring non-toxicity, addressing the long-standing issue of phthalate migration in prior art hoses.

Implementation Method 1

at least the second flexible polymer material includes a plasticizer agent having as low a migration level as to maintain the flexibility of said second polymer material substantially unaltered with time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMigration resistance:

Data Source

PatentUS8057877B2Flexible hose with non-phthalate plasticizers additives for transporting food liquids
Publication Date: 2011.11.15 FITT SPA
  • US8057877B2 patent drawing
  • US8057877B2 patent drawing
  • US8057877B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A flexible hose for transporting food liquids, particularly for irrigation or the like, comprising at least one outer protective layer (2) of a first flexible polymer material and at least one inner layer (3) in direct contact with the fluid to be transported, made of a second flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-containing polymer material. The second polymer material includes a plasticizer agent having as low a migration level as to maintain the flexibility of said second polymer material substantially unaltered with time. The plasticizer agent is selected from the group comprising non-phthalate additives, so that it can be non-toxic and non-polluting for the food products to be transported.