Two-Layer PET Preform with Homogeneous TiO2 and Dye for Light Screening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current single- and multi-layer preforms for blow moulding containers fail to provide effective light screening, leading to degradation of products sensitive to light radiation, such as UHT milk, and suffer from issues like delamination and cracking due to heterogeneous layer compositions, resulting in reduced production efficiency and increased faulty products.

Innovation Solution

A two-layer preform composed of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) with titanium dioxide and a light-absorbing dye, where both layers have identical compositions differing only in the weight percentage of the dye, ensuring uniform behavior and adherence during the blowing process, providing total light protection while maintaining a white or opaque appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multi-layer preforms with different compositions are used to achieve light screening, then light protection is improved, but layer adherence and production efficiency deteriorate due to delamination and cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight protectionVSAvoidlayer adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by using identical material compositions (PET, TiO2, and light-absorbing dye) across all layers of the preform. This ensures uniform physical and chemical properties throughout the structure, preventing delamination and cracking while maintaining effective light screening through the cumulative effect of multiple layers with the same composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the light screening function across multiple layers rather than relying on a single layer with heterogeneous composition. Each layer contributes equally to the light blocking performance, and the segmentation into multiple identical layers prevents the adherence problems associated with multi-composition structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If single-layer preforms with high light-screening additives are used, then light protection is improved, but product lifetime is insufficient beyond four months

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight screeningVSAvoidproduct lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light screening function across multiple layers, each containing a portion of the light-absorbing additive. This distribution allows the container to maintain effective light protection over extended periods (over 120 days) without the degradation issues associated with single-layer high-concentration additive structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If complex multi-layer preforms with different compositions are manufactured, then light screening is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates due to reduced productivity and increased faulty products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight screeningVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses identical material compositions across all layers, which simplifies the manufacturing process and improves production efficiency. The uniform composition eliminates the need for complex process adjustments between layers, reduces faulty products caused by delamination and cracking, and maintains high productivity while achieving effective light screening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 achieves extended product lifetime by preventing light-induced degradation, reduces faulty products due to improved layer adherence, and simplifies production with enhanced mechanical properties and reduced contamination risks, ensuring effective light screening and preservation of organoleptic properties.

Implementation Method 1

a dye with a light-absorbing capacity in the visible spectrum wavelength range that is between 400 nm (nanometres) and 700 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

titanium dioxide (TiO 2 )

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP1970181B1Preform for blow moulding a container
Publication Date: 2010.01.20 MINERA CATALANO ARAGONESA
  • EP1970181B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1970181B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1970181B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Preform for blow moulding a container, of the type used for the manufacture of containers destined to contain foods, dairy products, oil products and others that contain active principles that may be affected by light radiation, characterised in that it includes at least two layers (1,2) formed by means of co-injection or overmoulding techniques, each consisting of a corn position of Polyethylene Terephthalate (better known as PET), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and a dye with light-absorbing capacity in the visible spectrum wavelength range, that is, between 400 nm (nanometres) and 700 nm, the weight percentage of the dye with light-absorbing capacity present in the inner layer being, in the preferential embodiment, greater than that in the outer layer.