TiO2 Polyester Colour Concentrate for Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging materials, such as PET bottles, fail to effectively block harmful light transmission in the visible and UV range, leading to milk oxidation and nutrient depletion, and are prone to delamination during blow-moulding, resulting in decreased barrier properties and package failure.
Innovation Solution
A titanium dioxide-based colour concentrate comprising over 50% titanium dioxide, combined with specific waxes like glycerol monostearate and polyethoxylated glycols, and up to 30% polyester, improves light-blocking properties and resistance to delamination in polyester materials, enhancing the shelf life of dairy products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If high levels of TiO2 (4 wt.% or over) are incorporated into polyester to achieve opaque material with low light transmission, then light-blocking properties are improved, but processing properties deteriorate and delamination occurs after blow-moulding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific masterbatch composition as an intermediary carrier that mediates between the TiO2 pigment and the polyester matrix. This masterbatch contains TiO2 (40-70 wt.%), polyester (20-50 wt.%), and coupling agents (0.1-5 wt.%), creating a pre-formulated composite that improves interfacial adhesion and prevents delamination while maintaining high light-blocking properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining TiO2 pigment with specific polyester matrices and coupling agents in defined proportions. This composite approach (TiO2 + polyester + coupling agent) synergistically achieves both high opacity (light-blocking) and delamination resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high levels of TiO2 are incorporated into polyester to achieve sufficient opacity for long shelf life, then light-blocking properties are improved, but processing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the TiO2-polyester-coupling agent mixture into a masterbatch before final processing. This pre-mixing step ensures uniform distribution of TiO2 and coupling agents, facilitating easier processing during subsequent blow-moulding operations while maintaining high opacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The masterbatch acts as an intermediary that simplifies processing by pre-combining difficult-to-mix components (TiO2 and polyester) with coupling agents, making the final compounding and processing steps more manageable and reducing manufacturing difficulties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional additive systems are used to improve light-blocking, then some opacity is achieved, but superior transmission properties and delamination resistance cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameter ranges: TiO2 content (40-70 wt.%), polyester content (20-50 wt.%), and coupling agent content (0.1-5 wt.%). These parameter changes in the masterbatch composition enable superior light-blocking properties and delamination resistance compared to conventional additive systems with different compositions.
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 concentrate provides superior light-blocking properties and resistance to delamination, ensuring a longer shelf life for dairy products while maintaining good processing properties, outperforming existing additive systems.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating white pigment (titanium dioxide, TiO2) into the material significantly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, light transmission in the harmful blue-violet region
Implementation Method 2
Adding a UV absorber to the natural bottle provides excellent protection in the ultraviolet light range below 380 nanometers
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to a titanium dioxide based colour concentrate, suitable for colouring polyester materials, said concentrate comprising, based on the weight of the concentrate, more than 50 % of titanium dioxide, up to 20 % of at least one wax selected from the group of glycerol monostearate, hydrogenated castor oil and polyethoxylated glycols, and up to 30 % of at least one polyester.