Polypropylene Multilayer Sheet for Thick Transparent Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polypropylene multilayer sheets lack the ability to form thick, high-quality products such as containers due to insufficient fusion bonding and rigidity, limiting their application range.

Innovation Solution

A polypropylene multilayer sheet is created by alternately laminating two types of biaxially oriented polypropylene layers with different melting points, ensuring fusion bonding and maintaining excellent transparency and mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the thickness of polypropylene sheets is increased to expand application range, then the application range and mechanical strength are improved, but the transparency and formability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidtransparency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet is divided into multiple thin layers (5-20 layers) alternating between transparent and opaque polypropylene materials. Each layer maintains excellent transparency and formability, while the cumulative thickness of the multilayer structure achieves the desired overall thickness for expanded applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite multilayer structure combining different polypropylene materials with complementary properties. The transparent layers (first polypropylene) provide optical clarity and formability, while the opaque layers (second polypropylene) contribute to mechanical strength and rigidity, creating a composite material that exhibits all desired properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the thickness of polypropylene sheets is increased to improve mechanical strength, then the rigidity and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the formability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidformability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet is divided into multiple thin layers (5-20 layers) alternating between transparent and opaque polypropylene materials. Each layer maintains excellent transparency and formability, while the cumulative thickness of the multilayer structure achieves the desired overall thickness for expanded applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sheet (different layers) have different local properties: transparent layers provide formability and optical clarity, while opaque layers provide mechanical strength. This local differentiation of properties allows the overall sheet to exhibit both excellent formability and high mechanical strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If a multilayer structure with different melting points is used to improve transparency and mechanical properties, then the transparency and mechanical properties are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention controls the melting point difference between layers within a specific range (20-60°C) to optimize both transparency and manufacturing feasibility. This parameter optimization ensures that layers with different melting points can be properly bonded during manufacturing while maintaining excellent transparency properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite multilayer structure combining different polypropylene materials with complementary properties. The transparent layers (first polypropylene) provide optical clarity and formability, while the opaque layers (second polypropylene) contribute to mechanical strength and rigidity, creating a composite material that exhibits all desired properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If the number of layers in the multilayer sheet is increased to improve mechanical properties, then the mechanical strength and rigidity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a moderate number of layers (5-20 layers) rather than excessive layering. This partial action approach achieves the necessary mechanical strength improvement while avoiding excessive manufacturing complexity and production time increases. The specific layer count is optimized to provide sufficient strength enhancement without over-engineering the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 resulting sheet exhibits excellent formability, transparency, and mechanical properties, enabling the production of lightweight, rigid, and heat-resistant products suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

a first layer having a high melting point Tmh and a second layer having a low melting point Tml are alternately laminated. Since between the respective layers are fusion bonded, the multilayer sheet of the present invention is an integrated sheet.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFusion bonding: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP4245532B1Polypropylene multilayer sheet
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FP CORP
  • EP4245532B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP4245532B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4245532B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

A polypropylene multilayer sheet comprising: a first biaxially oriented polypropylene layer having a melting point Tmh; and a second biaxially oriented polypropylene layer having a melting point Tml, the first biaxially oriented polypropylene layer and the second biaxially oriented polypropylene layer being alternately laminated, the polypropylene multilayer sheet having a thickness of 0.20 to 3.0 mm, wherein Tmh>Tml,and a total number of layers is 3 to 11.