Water-Based Coated Glass Containers Abrasion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glass pharmaceutical packaging faces challenges with mechanical durability due to breakage and abrasion issues, which can compromise sterility and lead to costly recalls, as conventional tempering techniques are ineffective in enhancing resistance to scratches and abrasions.

Innovation Solution

A water-based coating mixture comprising metal oxide and polymer precursors is applied to glass surfaces, forming a coating that improves mechanical durability and resistance to abrasions, with a high water content reducing environmental impact and maintaining thermal stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional thermal tempering is used to strengthen glass, then resistance to blunt impacts is improved, but resistance to scratches and abrasions is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to blunt impactsVSAvoidresistance to scratches and abrasions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a coating composition comprising inorganic material (such as silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or zirconium oxide) and organic material (such as polymers or resins) to the glass surface. This composite coating structure provides both impact resistance from the tough organic matrix and scratch resistance from the hard inorganic particles, thereby resolving the contradiction between blunt impact resistance and abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a surface layer with different properties than the bulk glass. The coating is applied specifically to the surface where abrasion occurs, providing localized hardening and scratch resistance while maintaining the original glass properties for impact resistance. This local quality modification allows the glass to exhibit different mechanical properties at different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If chemical tempering is used to strengthen glass, then mechanical durability is improved, but resistance to abrasions during manufacturing remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical durabilityVSAvoidabrasions during manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite coating system where inorganic particles (providing hardness and abrasion resistance) are dispersed within an organic binder matrix. This combination creates a surface layer that is highly resistant to both chemical attacks and mechanical abrasions during manufacturing processes, while the glass substrate retains its chemically tempered strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coating is applied to the glass surface before the glass undergoes chemical tempering or other manufacturing processes. This preliminary protective layer prevents abrasions and mechanical damage from occurring during subsequent handling and processing steps, addressing the harmful effects before they can damage the glass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If glass packages are subjected to high processing speeds, then productivity is improved, but mechanical damage on the surface increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidmechanical damage on surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is applied to the glass surface in advance, before the high-speed processing operations. This pre-applied protective layer acts as a sacrificial barrier that absorbs mechanical stresses and prevents direct contact between the glass surface and processing equipment, thereby preventing abrasions and mechanical damage during high-speed manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coating composition creates a cushioning layer on the glass surface that absorbs and dissipates mechanical impacts and friction forces generated during high-speed processing. This beforehand cushioning protects the underlying glass from developing cracks or surface damage that would compromise product integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 coated glass articles exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, including reduced coefficient of friction and improved strength, maintaining performance through thermal treatments and handling processes without significant color change or degradation.

Implementation Method 1

heating the water-based coating mixture to form a coating on the first surface of the glass article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a metal oxide precursor wherein the metal oxide precursor is miscible in the water or may form an emulsion with the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

heating the water-based coating mixture to form a coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3844118B1Methods for making coated glass articles such as coated glass containers
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 CORNING INC
  • EP3844118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3844118B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3844118B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a coated glass article may be made by a method that includes applying a water-based coating mixture onto at least a portion of a first surface of a glass article, and heating the water-based coating mixture to form a coating on the first surface of the glass article, where the coating includes metal oxide and polymer. The water-based coating mixture may include comprise water in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the water-based coating mixture, a polymer or polymer precursor, and a metal oxide precursor. The polymer or polymer precursor may be miscible in the water or may form an emulsion with the water. The metal oxide precursor may be miscible in the water or may form an emulsion with the water.