Pouch Container Printing Layer Moisture Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Platelessly-printed layers in pouch containers are inferior in water resistance compared to plate-printed layers, leading to potential detachment or deterioration during sterilization processes or use, due to moisture exposure.

Innovation Solution

The pouch container design includes a platelessly printed layer between the base film and the sealant layer, with the edge of the platelessly printed layer spaced apart from the container end face, and a plate-printed layer exposed at the end face, preventing moisture ingress and enhancing water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a platelessly printed layer is formed on the wall-surface sheet, then printing flexibility and small-lot production capability are improved, but water resistance deteriorates leading to detachment or deterioration during sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting flexibilityVSAvoidwater resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printed layer is segmented into two distinct types: a platelessly printed layer (formed by inkjet or electrophotographic printing) positioned away from the end face, and a plate-printed layer (formed by gravure or flexographic printing) positioned at the end face. This segmentation allows each printing method to be used in the location where it provides the most benefit, resolving the contradiction between printing flexibility and water resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different printing methods are applied to different locations of the wall-surface sheet based on local requirements. The platelessly printed layer is applied to areas not requiring high water resistance, while the plate-printed layer with superior water resistance is applied to the end face area that is most vulnerable to moisture ingress. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each location's properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the platelessly printed layer extends to the container end face, then printing area coverage is improved, but moisture ingress risk increases causing detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinted layer coverage areaVSAvoidmoisture ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-printed layer serves as an intermediary protective element at the end face, positioned between the external moisture environment and the platelessly printed layer. This intermediary layer with superior water resistance prevents moisture from reaching and damaging the platelessly printed layer, allowing the printed area to extend closer to the end face without increasing detachment risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate-printed layer is positioned at the end face to preemptively block moisture ingress before it can reach the platelessly printed layer. This preliminary protective action prevents the harmful effect of moisture from affecting the main printed area, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and moisture resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of manufacture

If plateless printing method is used, then production cost and plate-making time are reduced, but printed layer durability under moisture exposure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidprinted layer durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printed layer is segmented into two distinct types: a platelessly printed layer (formed by inkjet or electrophotographic printing) positioned away from the end face, and a plate-printed layer (formed by gravure or flexographic printing) positioned at the end face. This segmentation allows each printing method to be used in the location where it provides the most benefit, resolving the contradiction between printing flexibility and water resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different printing methods are applied to different locations of the wall-surface sheet based on local requirements. The platelessly printed layer is applied to areas not requiring high water resistance, while the plate-printed layer with superior water resistance is applied to the end face area that is most vulnerable to moisture ingress. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each location's properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3351483B1Pouch container, pouch container package material, and pouch container manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2020.10.21 FUJI SEAL INTERNATIONAL INC

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AI summary

Platelessly printed layers have inferior water resistance compared to plate-printed layers, and due to the effect of moisture, etc. in sterilization steps, during use, etc., problems such as detachment or deterioration of platelessly printed layers tend to occur. In the present invention, a pouch container 10 is provided with a first wall surface sheet 11 and a second wall surface sheet 12 disposed facing the first wall surface sheet 11 and has a sealed section in which the back surfaces 11S, 12S of the respective wall surface sheets are bonded to each other. The first wall surface sheet 11 and the second wall surface sheet 12 each have a base film 20, a sealant layer 21 provided on the back surface of the base film 20, and a platelessly printed layer 22 formed between the base film 20 and the sealant layer 21. Moreover, the edges E22 of the platelessly printed layer 22 are provided at positions that are at a distance from the container end faces.