Planar Composite with Differential Vicat Softening Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food packaging systems, such as cans and glass jars, face issues with high weight, energy-intensive production, and difficulties during closure due to adhesion problems, leading to damage and imperfections in the packaging, which result in higher costs and reduced shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A sheetlike composite with a specific layer configuration comprising a first thermoplastic layer (KSu), a carrier layer, a barrier layer, and a second thermoplastic layer (KSw), where the melting temperature of KSu is between 100 to 150 °C, and the Vicat softening temperature of KSu is higher than KSw, minimizing adhesion to closing tools while maintaining high tightness and impermeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the temperature at the closing point is kept lower to reduce adhesion of the container to the closing tool, then the adhesion decreases and damage to packaging is reduced, but the tightness of the closure is reduced leading to reduced shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting thermoplastic materials with specific melting temperature ranges (100-150°C for the first layer, lower for the second layer). This temperature parameter optimization allows the material to remain stable during closing operations at lower temperatures (reducing adhesion) while still achieving adequate sealing when heated during the closing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating a multi-layer sheetlike composite structure with at least four layers including different thermoplastic layers with different melting temperatures. The combination of thermoplastic layers, carrier layer, and barrier layer creates a composite material that balances adhesion properties during closing with sealing tightness for long-term storage.
2Ease of operation
If the melting temperature of the thermoplastic layer is lowered to reduce adhesion during closing, then the closing process becomes easier with less adhesion, but the tightness and impermeability of the seal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melting temperature parameter of the thermoplastic layers, specifically setting the first layer between 100-150°C and the second layer at a lower temperature. This parameter adjustment facilitates easier closing operations with reduced adhesion while the multi-layer composite structure ensures adequate sealing tightness is achieved during the closing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure with multiple thermoplastic layers having different melting temperatures allows the closing process to benefit from the lower melting point layer (reducing adhesion) while the overall composite structure maintains the necessary tightness and impermeability for reliable sealing.
3Reliability
If conventional thermoplastic materials are used that provide good sealing tightness, then the shelf life is extended, but the adhesion to closing tools increases causing damage and defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameters of the thermoplastic materials, selecting materials with melting temperatures in the 100-150°C range for the first layer and lower for the second layer. This parameter modification reduces adhesion during closing operations while the multi-layer composite structure maintains the sealing quality necessary for extended shelf life.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material combines multiple thermoplastic layers with different thermal properties, a carrier layer, and a barrier layer. This composite structure achieves a balance where the material provides sufficient adhesion control during closing (reducing damage) while maintaining the sealing integrity required for long-term storage and extended shelf life.
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 composite reduces adhesion to closing tools, ensuring a tight seal and extended shelf life by maintaining the structural integrity and impermeability of the packaging, making it suitable for long-term storage of sensitive foodstuffs.
Implementation Method 1
the Vicat softening temperature of the layer of thermoplastic KSu (13) is higher than the Vicat softening temperature of the layer of thermoplastic KSw (7)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a sheetlike composite (3) comprising a layer configuration with at least the following layers: i. a first layer of thermoplastic KSu (13); ii. a carrier layer (4); iii. a barrier layer (5); iv. a second layer of thermoplastic KSw (7); wherein the sheetlike composite has at least one further layer of thermoplastic KSv (35); wherein the Vicat softening temperature of the layer of thermoplastic KSu (13) is higher than the Vicat softening temperature of the layer of thermoplastic KSw (7). The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of the sheetlike composite, a container surrounding an interior which comprises at least one such sheetlike composite, and a process for the production of this container.