Transparent Thermoplastic Container Oxygen Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermoplastic containers fail to simultaneously provide transparency, effective oxygen and moisture barrier properties, and resistance to steam sterilization, often requiring complex multi-layer structures and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A transparent thermoplastic composition comprising 60-100 weight percent of a polyamide resin with specific molecular repeat units, 0-30 weight percent of an aliphatic homopolyamide, and 0-10 weight percent of a functional additive, which offers improved transparency, oxygen barrier, and steam sterilization resistance in a single layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single thermoplastic polymer is used to provide transparency and moisture barrier, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but oxygen barrier properties and steam sterilization resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-layer composite structure combining different thermoplastic polymers, each layer contributing specific properties: one layer provides transparency and moisture barrier, another layer provides oxygen barrier, and a third layer provides steam sterilization resistance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple functions into a single container structure while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through co-extrusion or lamination processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into multiple functional layers, with each layer segmented to perform a specific function. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its particular role (transparency, moisture barrier, oxygen barrier, or steam sterilization resistance) while the overall structure maintains the simplicity of a single-integration manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If EVOH is used to provide superior oxygen barrier, then oxygen barrier property is improved, but steam sterilization resistance and moisture barrier deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into separate layers, with EVOH dedicated to providing oxygen barrier in one specific layer, while other layers are assigned to provide steam sterilization resistance and moisture barrier. This functional segmentation allows EVOH to excel at oxygen barrier without compromising the container's overall versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material structure where EVOH is combined with other thermoplastic polymers that complement its properties. The composite structure allows EVOH to provide superior oxygen barrier while the accompanying materials provide the necessary steam sterilization resistance and moisture barrier, achieving a balance of all required properties.
3Reliability
If a multi-layer structure is used to achieve desired combination of properties, then oxygen barrier and steam sterilization resistance are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer structure is segmented into distinct functional layers that can be manufactured using standard co-extrusion or lamination techniques. Each layer is optimized for a specific function, but the segmentation follows conventional manufacturing approaches, thereby achieving the desired property combination without excessive manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer structure is designed to provide multiple functions (oxygen barrier, moisture barrier, steam sterilization resistance, transparency) within a single integrated container component. This multi-functionality approach allows the container to achieve desired property combinations while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes that produce a single unified structure rather than requiring assembly of multiple separate components.
4Reliability
If amorphous polyamides are used to provide good oxygen barrier and transparency, then these properties are improved, but steam sterilization resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into layers, with amorphous polyamides assigned to provide oxygen barrier and transparency in specific layers, while other layers use materials specifically selected for high-temperature steam sterilization resistance. This segmentation allows amorphous polyamides to fulfill their optical and barrier functions without being exposed to the thermal stress of steam sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material structure where amorphous polyamides are combined with heat-resistant thermoplastic polymers. The amorphous polyamide layers provide excellent oxygen barrier and transparency, while the heat-resistant polymer layers protect the overall structure during steam sterilization, achieving a synergistic combination of properties that neither material could provide alone.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a transparent thermoplastic container including a thermoplastic composition including: A) a polyamide resin includinga) 10 to 40 mol % of a first repeat unit of formula (I), andb) 60 to 90 mol % of a second repeat unit selected from the group consisting of formula (II)—C(O)(CH2)nC(O)NH(CH2)6NH— (II);wherein n is an integer selected from 8; and the mol % of repeat units are based on the total repeat units present in the copolyamide; and, optionally, B) an aliphatic homopolyamide having one repeat unit selected from the group of formula (II) and C) a functional additive.