Perforated Cellulosic Barrier for Food Liner Moisture Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper-based liners for packing food prior to freezing rely on paraffin coatings that lack precise control over liquid absorption and emission, and are not recyclable, limiting their effectiveness and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A cellulosic structure with a substrate and two barrier layers, where one barrier layer is perforated to control moisture transfer and absorb excess liquid, using recyclable materials like polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene, allowing for precise control over perforation size and placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paraffin coatings are used on paper-based substrates, then liquid absorption and emission control is achieved, but manufacturing precision and recyclability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous polymeric barrier layers with controlled porosity to replace paraffin coatings. The porous structure allows precise control over liquid absorption and emission rates through the barrier layer, achieving reliable moisture management while enabling recyclability of the paper-based substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures combining paper-based substrates with porous polymeric barrier layers. This composite approach maintains the recyclability of the paper substrate while the polymeric layer provides controlled liquid absorption and emission properties, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If paraffin coatings are applied to paper-based substrates, then moisture barrier function is provided, but recyclability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The porous polymeric barrier layer provides effective moisture barrier function while being compatible with recyclable paper-based substrates. The porous structure allows controlled moisture transmission without requiring non-recyclable paraffin coatings, thus maintaining recyclability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-recyclable paraffin to recyclable porous polymers, maintaining the moisture barrier function while improving the recyclability parameter. This parameter change enables the entire liner structure to be recyclable.
3Reliability
If conventional paraffin coatings are used, then liner functionality is achieved, but sustainability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of recyclable paper-based substrates with porous polymeric barrier layers provides full liner functionality while eliminating the sustainability issues associated with non-recyclable paraffin coatings. The entire structure can be recycled, improving sustainability without compromising functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables discarding and recovering of the entire liner structure including both the paper substrate and polymeric barrier layers. This recovering capability improves sustainability by allowing the materials to be reused, unlike conventional paraffin-coated liners that cannot be recycled.
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 perforated barrier layer effectively manages moisture transfer, absorbs excess liquid, and facilitates easy release, while enabling a fully recyclable solution that surpasses the limitations of conventional paraffin coatings in terms of control and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
The first barrier layer has a plurality of perforations therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A cellulosic structure includes a cellulosic substrate having a first major side and a second major side and a first barrier layer on the first major side of the cellulosic substrate. The first barrier layer has a plurality of perforations therethrough.