Squeezable Polyolefin Tube Structure for Oxygen and Moisture Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic tubes used for packaging viscous liquids lack sufficient oxygen and moisture barrier properties, mechanical strength, and resistance to environmental factors such as squeezing and twisting, while also relying on energy-intensive aluminum materials.
Innovation Solution
A plastic tube design comprising a multilayer film structure with a metallized or inorganic oxide-coated EVOH layer sandwiched between polyolefin films, optimized with specific ethylene content and thickness, and optionally incorporating recycled polyolefin layers, enhances barrier properties and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aluminum layers are used for tube construction, then good barrier properties are achieved, but energy-intensive material usage and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multilayer structure combining polyolefin, EVOH, and adhesive layers. This composite structure achieves barrier properties comparable to aluminum while using recyclable polymer materials, thereby reducing energy-intensive material usage while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes material parameters by specifying precise ethylene content ranges (20-50 mol%) in EVOH layers and controlling layer thicknesses (EVOH: 3-10 μm, total body: 200-500 μm). These parameter optimizations enable the polymer composite to achieve aluminum-level barrier performance with lower environmental impact
2Ease of manufacture
If EVOH multilayer structures are used to replace aluminum, then recyclability improves, but oxygen and moisture barrier properties become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with a specific multilayer configuration: polyolefin layers (providing mechanical strength and recyclability) combined with thin EVOH layers (providing barrier properties). The adhesive layers ensure strong bonding between layers. This composite structure achieves both recyclability and sufficient barrier properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing EVOH layers specifically where barrier protection is needed, rather than using a uniform material throughout. The multilayer structure concentrates barrier functionality in the EVOH layers while using recyclable polyolefin for structural components, achieving both goals simultaneously
3Loss of substance
If EVOH layer thickness is reduced to improve recyclability, then aluminum usage decreases, but barrier properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to compensate for reduced EVOH thickness. The multilayer structure with optimized layer combinations and the inclusion of adhesive layers create a synergistic effect that maintains barrier properties even with thin EVOH layers (3-10 μm), enabling aluminum reduction while preserving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer thick barrier to a multilayer thin-film structure. By distributing barrier functionality across multiple thin layers with adhesive bonding, the system achieves equivalent or superior barrier performance with reduced material thickness, enabling better recyclability
4Reliability
If multilayer film structure is implemented to improve barrier properties, then oxygen transmission rate decreases, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with a systematically designed multilayer structure. Each layer has a specific function: polyolefin for mechanics, EVOH for barrier, adhesive for bonding. This functional segmentation achieves low oxygen transmission rate while managing complexity through clear layer differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tube body into distinct functional layers: outer polyolefin layer, intermediate EVOH barrier layer, and adhesive bonding layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, achieving superior oxygen barrier properties while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
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 design provides improved oxygen and water barrier properties, cost-effectiveness, and resistance to environmental stress, while allowing for recyclability and reducing the use of aluminum.
Implementation Method 1
an EVOH layer (a1) which is metalized or inorganic oxide coated on one surface
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive layer (a3) between the surface of the EVOH layer (a1) which is not metalized or inorganic oxide coated and the polyolefin layer (a2)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a plastic tube comprising a body (A) and a shoulder (B), wherein a body (A) is a plastic film laminate with a total thickness of 200 to 500 μm comprising a multilayer film (A1) comprising an EVOH layer (a1) which is metalized or inorganic oxide coated on one surface and has a thickness of equal to or below 5 μm, a polyolefin layer (a2), and an adhesive layer (a3) between the surface of the EVOH layer (a1) which is not metalized or inorganic oxide coated and the polyolefin layer (a2), and a polyolefin film (A2) laminated to the metalized or inorganic oxide coated surface of the EVOH layer (a1). The plastic tube has improved oxygen and/or water barrier properties, improved mechanical strength as well as improved resistance to environmental factors such as repeated squeezing and/or twisting.