Peelable Multilayer Film for Pasteurization Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging films for high-pressure pasteurization lack effective peelability and seal strength, often resulting in stringers and unwanted delamination, which can contaminate food products and complicate opening.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer peelable film is developed, comprising a polypropylene seal layer with a suitable slip agent, laminated to a heat-resistant substrate, which forms a hermetically sealed vessel with a rigid or semi-rigid container, ensuring clean peeling without stringers and maintaining integrity during high-pressure processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional packaging film is used for high-pressure pasteurization, then the film can provide basic sealing, but it lacks effective peelability and produces stringers and unwanted delamination
Solution Approach 1:
The film is divided into distinct functional layers: a seal layer (polypropylene) that provides bonding, a core layer (ethylene vinyl acetate and polybutene) that provides peelability, and an optional barrier layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, enabling clean peeling without stringers while maintaining seal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite film structure combining polypropylene (for seal strength), ethylene vinyl acetate (for peelability), and polybutene (for flexibility and peel characteristics). This composite material approach allows the film to simultaneously provide strong sealing and clean peeling without generating harmful stringers or delamination.
2Ease of operation
If the peel layer is made thicker to enhance peelability, then peeling becomes easier, but the seal strength and integrity during pasteurization may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The film is divided into distinct functional layers: a seal layer (polypropylene) that provides bonding, a core layer (ethylene vinyl acetate and polybutene) that provides peelability, and an optional barrier layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, enabling clean peeling without stringers while maintaining seal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the thickness ratio between the peel layer and seal layer, maintaining the peel layer at 10-20% of total film thickness. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient peelability while preserving adequate seal strength to withstand pasteurization conditions.
3Strength
If a thin peel layer is used to maintain seal integrity, then the film maintains integrity during pasteurization, but peelability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite film structure combining polypropylene (for seal strength), ethylene vinyl acetate (for peelability), and polybutene (for flexibility and peel characteristics). This composite material approach allows the film to simultaneously provide strong sealing and clean peeling without generating harmful stringers or delamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the thickness ratio between the peel layer and seal layer, maintaining the peel layer at 10-20% of total film thickness. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient peelability while preserving adequate seal strength to withstand pasteurization conditions.
4Ease of operation
If the film is designed for easy peeling, then opening becomes simple, but the bond strength during pasteurization and distribution may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The film is divided into distinct functional layers: a seal layer (polypropylene) that provides bonding, a core layer (ethylene vinyl acetate and polybutene) that provides peelability, and an optional barrier layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, enabling clean peeling without stringers while maintaining seal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal layer is designed with excessive bond strength (800-1600 g/in) to ensure it withstands pasteurization and distribution conditions, while the core layer provides the necessary peelability. This partial application of excessive bonding in the seal layer ensures reliability during processing while maintaining ease of opening.
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 film provides a strong bond (800 g/in to 1600 g/in) that survives pasteurization and distribution, ensuring easy opening without contaminating the contents and maintaining consistent peelability, while the thin peel layer significantly enhances peelability properties.
Implementation Method 1
a seal layer that adhesively bonds to the container and to the core layer
Implementation Method 2
The seal layer may include a slip agent that promotes clean peeling of the film from the container
Implementation Method 3
a peelable film that is laminated to a heat-resistant substrate prior to sealing to the rigid or semi-rigid container
Data Source
AI summary
A peelable multilayer film includes a seal layer (peel layer) and at least one core layer. The peelable multilayer film can bond to a container.