Oxygen-Scavenging Polymer Blends for Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymer blends used for packaging oxygen-sensitive products, such as PET polymers, do not provide adequate oxygen barrier protection for very sensitive items, leading to issues with freshness and quality preservation.
Innovation Solution
Development of polymer blends incorporating polybutadiene homopolymers or copolymers with specific functionalities, combined with PET polymers prepared using a catalyst system containing aluminum atoms and alkaline earth or alkali metal atoms, and a transition metal catalyst, to enhance oxygen-scavenging properties while maintaining transparency, rigidity, and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PET homopolymers and copolymers are used for packaging, then the package provides basic oxygen barrier protection, but the oxygen barrier properties are insufficient for very oxygen-sensitive products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of PET homopolymer/copolymer blended with polybutadiene homopolymer/copolymer. This composite approach combines the structural benefits of PET with the oxygen-scavenging capabilities of polybutadiene, achieving superior oxygen barrier protection for sensitive products while maintaining package integrity and appearance.
2Reliability
If oxidizable moieties and transition metal salts are incorporated to actively promote oxidation, then oxygen scavenging effectiveness is enhanced, but the complexity of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oxygen-scavenging function with the polymer matrix by incorporating polybutadiene homopolymer/copolymer directly into the PET blend. This integration eliminates the need for separate oxidizable moieties and transition metal salt additives, simplifying the overall composition while maintaining effective oxygen scavenging activity through the inherent properties of the polybutadiene component.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple additives and catalysts are used to enhance oxygen scavenging, then the oxygen transmission rate is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves reduced oxygen transmission rates by changing the compositional parameters of the polymer blend itself, specifically incorporating polybutadiene homopolymer/copolymer in optimized amounts. This parameter change approach allows for effective oxygen scavenging through the inherent chemical structure of the polymer components, eliminating the need for multiple additive packages and complex manufacturing processes.
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 resulting polymer blends exhibit improved oxygen-scavenging activity, providing better protection for sensitive products by reducing oxygen transmission rates while maintaining essential properties like transparency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
one or more polybutadiene homopolymers or copolymers having at least one functionality capable of entering into condensation reactions... exhibit improved oxygen-scavenging activity
Implementation Method 2
one or more transition metal atoms in an amount from about 10 ppm to about 1,000 ppm metal, based on the total weight of the polymer blend
Implementation Method 3
one or more polyethylene terephthalate homopolymers or copolymers obtained using a catalyst system comprising aluminum atoms in an amount from, for example, about 3 ppm to about 100 ppm and one or more alkaline earth metal atoms, alkali metal atoms, or alkali compound residues
Data Source
AI summary
Polymer blends are disclosed that comprise one or more polybutadiene homopolymers or copolymers having at least one functionality capable of entering into condensation reactions; one or more polyethylene terephthalate homopolymers or copolymers obtained using a catalyst system comprising aluminum atoms and one or more alkaline earth metal atoms, alkali metal atoms, or alkali compound residues, optionally obtained by a melt-phase polymerization process; and one or more transition metal atoms. The blends are useful for packaging, and exhibit improved oxygen-scavenging activity compared with blends made using many conventional polyethylene terephthalate polymers prepared with conventional catalyst systems.