Polyalkylene Ether Modified Polyethylene Packaging for Flowable Product Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging technologies face challenges in efficiently releasing flowable products like liquids, leading to product waste and increased recycling costs, while limiting manufacturers' flexibility in formulating viscous or high-solids products.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer package structure with an inner layer comprising polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene, which enhances the release of complex fluids by reducing product retention and allowing for more efficient use and recycling of contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional packaging materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but product release is poor leading to waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct wasteVSAvoidpackage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by using a multilayer structure where the inner layer is composed of polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene (at least 30 wt%) combined with other polymeric materials. This composite approach creates a surface that specifically reduces product retention while maintaining structural integrity, directly addressing the product waste issue without requiring overly complex packaging designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the packaging material by incorporating polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene, which has specific molecular characteristics (ether groups in the polymer chain) that alter the surface properties. This parameter change reduces the adhesion between the packaging surface and flowable products, thereby improving product release and reducing waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional packaging materials are used, then recycling costs are maintained, but product release is insufficient requiring product removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling costVSAvoidproduct retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The multilayer composite structure with polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene in the inner layer provides improved product release characteristics, allowing products to be more completely evacuated from the package. This reduces the need for costly product removal processes before recycling, thereby easing manufacturing/recycling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the chemical composition parameters of the inner layer to include polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene, the surface properties are optimized for product release. This parameter modification enables better product evacuation without requiring additional recycling preprocessing steps, reducing overall recycling costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional packaging materials are used, then formulation flexibility is limited, but manufacturing simplicity is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation flexibilityVSAvoidpackage composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The use of polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene as a composite material in the inner layer provides a versatile platform that works with various product formulations, including viscous and high-solids products. This composite approach enhances formulation flexibility without requiring complex package designs, as the modified polyethylene adapts to different product types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the packaging material by incorporating polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene, which provides a broader range of compatible product formulations. This parameter change enables manufacturers to use more viscous and high-solids products while maintaining a relatively simple package structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of substance

If polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene is used in the inner layer, then product release is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct releaseVSAvoidlayer composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials (polyalkylene ether modified polyethylene combined with other polymers) in the inner layer to achieve improved product release. While this does increase material complexity, the composite nature allows for optimized performance without requiring excessive layering or structural complexity, balancing release improvement with manageable manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3362370B1Packages for improved release of flowable products

Publication Date: 2022.10.26 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

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AI summary

The present invention provides packages comprising an inner surface comprising polyalkylene ether modified polyolefin. In some embodiments, the polyalkylene ether modified polyolefin is the reaction product of an amine-terminated polyalkylene ether and a maleated polyolefin.