Paper Food Packaging Laminate for Hermetic Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food packaging solutions are not compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable, and they often deform printed patterns on the outer surface during thermoforming, compromising their integrity and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The package is made from paper-based materials with a laminate structure, including a cellulose fiber content, and features a sealing foil with specific coatings for hermetic sealing and recyclability, minimizing pattern deformation during thermoforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plastic materials are used for packaging, then hermetic sealing and shelf-life are achieved, but the packaging is not compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material structure consisting of a paper-based half-shell with a multilayer coating system. The coating includes a barrier layer (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene) for hermetic sealing, an adhesive layer for bonding, and an outer layer for printability and moisture resistance. This composite structure enables the packaging to achieve plastic-like sealing performance while maintaining recyclability and biodegradability of the base paper material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of paper material through controlled coating and treatment processes. By adjusting the coating thickness, composition, and curing conditions, the paper half-shell achieves enhanced barrier properties against moisture and oxygen, transforming it from a naturally permeable material into an effective hermetic container comparable to conventional plastic packaging.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermoforming is used to form the half-shells, then the package structure is created, but printed patterns on the outer surface deform significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the printed pattern to the paper half-shell before the thermoforming process. The pre-printed pattern is then protected by subsequent coating layers that are applied after forming. This sequence prevents the ink from deforming during thermoforming while still allowing the final coated surface to conform to the shaped container, thereby preserving pattern integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different material properties in different regions of the half-shell. The outer coating layer is designed with specific flexibility and adhesion characteristics that allow it to conform to the thermoformed shape without cracking or distorting the underlying printed pattern. This localized optimization of coating properties protects the pattern while achieving the desired container geometry.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If paper material is used for the package, then recyclability and biodegradability are achieved, but hermetic sealing capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where a thin barrier coating layer (typically polyethylene or polypropylene) is bonded to the paper substrate. This barrier layer provides the hermetic sealing capability that pure paper lacks, while the paper base maintains recyclability and biodegradability. The composite achieves a balance between protective functionality and environmental sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adhesive intermediary layer between the paper substrate and the barrier coating. This adhesive layer ensures strong bonding while maintaining the overall recyclability of the structure. The intermediary enables the integration of dissimilar materials (paper and plastic coating) into a unified, recyclable packaging system that achieves both environmental and functional requirements.
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 provides a compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable package with hermetic sealing capabilities, maintaining printed patterns' integrity and extending shelf-life comparable to conventional plastic packaging.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing foil (6, 7) made of a mainly paper material to act as a lid closing the mouth of the other half-shell (3, 2) in a hermetic way
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
Figure 4~5(b)
AI summary
Packaging for products, such as food products, comprising a first (2) and a second (3) half-shell shaped like a cap with a respective flange surrounding the mouth profile and connected to each other at the respective flanges, at least one of said half-shells being closed by a respective sealing foil (6, 7); said first (2) and second (3) half-shell and said respective sealing foil (6, 7) being optionally provided with respective appendicular formations (20, 30) for opening the package located at said flanges, characterized in that: - said first (2) and second (3) half-shells are both formed by a shaped sheet of paper material, - the aforementioned at least one sealing foil (6, 7) consists of a laminate comprising at least one paper main layer (66; 66°; 76), a heat-sealable surface coating (68; 78; 79) applied on the face of the foil facing the respective half-shell, preferably polyethylene or high density polyethylene) and a heat-sealable or ultrasonic weldable surface coating (62; 71), applied on the face of the foil facing the other half-shell.