Polyester Bottle Preforms Using Liquid Aliphatic Ester Slip Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polyester materials like PET and PETG face challenges with high coefficient of friction, leading to packing density issues, poor flow on conveying equipment, and surface defects, necessitating an effective slip agent that reduces friction while maintaining clarity, non-toxicity, and not affecting the taste or odor of packaged goods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating specific aliphatic esters as slip agents, specifically esters of branched chain alkanols with 12-18 carbon atoms and straight chain fatty acids with 11-21 carbon atoms, which are liquid at 25 °C, into polyester compositions for bottles and films, reducing friction without compromising transparency or safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional slip agents are used to reduce friction, then coefficient of friction decreases, but packing density deteriorates and surface defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of slip agents by using specific esters with controlled carbon chain lengths (C12-C22) and branching patterns, optimizing the balance between friction reduction and maintaining packing density. The specific parameter range of fatty acid chain length and alcohol chain length creates the right molecular size and shape for effective slip without excessive spacing between particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite ester molecules combining specific fatty acid components with specific alcohol components to create slip agents that provide both friction reduction and adequate particle packing. The composite structure of ester bonds between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with specific chain lengths creates a material that achieves both contradictory requirements simultaneously.
2Force
If higher dosing levels of slip agents are used to improve slip performance, then coefficient of friction decreases, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dosing level parameter to a specific range (0.01-2 wt.%) by carefully selecting ester components with optimal carbon chain lengths. This parameter optimization achieves maximum slip effect at minimum effective concentration, reducing the quantity of substance required while maintaining friction reduction performance.
3Productivity
If slip agents are added to improve flow, then throughput increases, but surface defects increase due to poor scratch resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular parameters of slip agents by selecting esters with specific chain lengths and saturation levels, creating a balance between providing adequate slip for high-speed conveying and maintaining surface hardness for scratch resistance. The specific carbon chain length range optimizes the trade-off between flow improvement and surface quality.
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 specific aliphatic esters significantly improve slip performance, reducing friction and surface resistance, allowing for better processing and packaging efficiency with lower dosing levels, thus providing a cost-effective solution that maintains product clarity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating specific aliphatic esters as slip agents, specifically esters of branched chain alkanols with 12-18 carbon atoms and straight chain fatty acids with 11-21 carbon atoms... reducing friction without compromising transparency or safety
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a film of preform for a bottle, to a polyester composition suitable for preparing a film or preform for a bottle, and to the use of certain organic esters as slip agent for specific polyesters. The film or preform according to the invention comprises a polyester material selected from the group of polyethylene terephthalate, virgin bottle grade polyethylene terephthalate, postconsumer polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polylactic acid and at least one slip agent, said slip agent being an ester of an aliphatic alkanol having the formula R−OH, wherein R stands for a branched chain alkyl group having 12-18 carbon atoms, and an aliphatic fatty acid having the formula R1−COOH, wherein R stands for a straight chain alkyl group having 11-21 carbon atoms, and wherein the slip agent is liquid at 25 °C.