Dual-ovenable Polyamide Film Package with Modified Seal Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Packaging materials that are ovenable for both microwave and conventional ovens face challenges in maintaining dimensional stability and preventing leaks under handling forces before moisture equilibration, especially when exposed to elevated temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A dual-ovenable package design featuring a heat seal between two films, where the first film comprises at least 70% polyamides and a modified interior layer with ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers or ionomers, and the second film consists predominantly of polyamides, ensuring structural integrity and moisture resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If packaging materials are designed to be ovenable for both microwave and conventional ovens, then versatility and ease of operation are improved, but dimensional stability and leak prevention under handling forces before moisture equilibration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual-ovenable capabilityVSAvoidleak prevention under handling forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging structure is pre-designed with a multi-layer construction featuring a moisture-permeable outer layer and a moisture-impermeable inner layer. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when handling forces are applied before the polyamide equilibrates with ambient moisture, the package maintains its seal integrity and prevents leaks, while still achieving dual-ovenable capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The package utilizes a composite structure combining polyamide material with modified interior layers. This composite material design provides both the heat resistance required for conventional oven use and the moisture management properties needed for microwave use, while maintaining dimensional stability under handling forces before moisture equilibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If packaging is designed to withstand elevated conventional oven temperatures for extended periods, then temperature resistance is improved, but structural integrity under handling forces before moisture equilibration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewithstand elevated temperatureVSAvoidstructural integrity under handling forces
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging employs local quality differentiation through its multi-layer construction, where the outer layer is designed with specific moisture-permeable properties and the inner layer provides moisture-impermeable protection. This localized functional differentiation allows the package to withstand elevated conventional oven temperatures while maintaining structural integrity under handling forces before moisture equilibration occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The structural design is established in advance to accommodate both high-temperature exposure and handling forces. The package is pre-configured with reinforced sealing mechanisms and a multi-layer structure that maintains dimensional stability during distribution and loading, before the polyamide material equilibrates with ambient moisture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If packaging allows polyamide to equilibrate with ambient moisture before handling, then dimensional stability is improved, but distribution and loading time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidtime before handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging structure is pre-designed with inherent moisture management capabilities through its multi-layer construction. This preliminary action eliminates the need to wait for moisture equilibration before handling, as the structure maintains dimensional stability and seal integrity from the moment of package creation through distribution and loading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The package structure performs self-service by automatically managing moisture equilibration through its multi-layer design. The moisture-permeable outer layer and moisture-impermeable inner layer work together to control moisture transfer, allowing the package to maintain stability during handling without requiring external intervention or waiting periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 package maintains performance attributes and prevents leaks under handling and elevated oven temperatures, providing a stable and reliable packaging solution for food products.

Implementation Method 1

A package comprises a heat seal between a first film and a second film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat sealing: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2608960B1Ovenable heat-sealed package
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 CRYOVAC INC
  • EP2608960B1 patent drawingFigure 1~8
  • EP2608960B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2608960B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A package comprises a heat seal between a first film and a second film. The first film comprises at least 70% of one or more polyamides. The first film also comprises at least one modified layer comprising (1) at least 70% of one or more polyamides and (2) one or more modifiers selected from ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers, ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymers, and ionomers. The second film comprises at least 70%) of one or more polyamides. The package is useful under ovenable conditions.