Research on Intelligent Technology in Packaging

Abstract : The characteristics and functions of intelligent technologies in packaging are studied. According to the characteristics of the current international intelligent packaging, they are divided into: functional material type intelligent packaging, functional structure type intelligent packaging , Informational smart packaging. And analyzed the technical difficulties of various types of packaging R&D, pointing out that China has a broad prospect for the development of new intelligent packaging technology.

The development of packaging technology has developed with the development of commodity circulation. For goods, packaging is mainly used to protect, isolate, quantify, decorate and explain. This is also the function and characteristics of traditional packaging. With the development of market economy and advancement of technology, people add more intelligent technology components in packaging to meet the requirements of increasingly complex distribution systems and users' needs for product functions, so that they cannot achieve the traditional packaging technology. The function. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to understand and research intelligent packaging technology to meet the development of China's packaging industry and global economic integration.

Intelligent packaging includes: functional material type intelligent packaging, functional structure type intelligent packaging and information type intelligent packaging. It is embodied in: using new types of packaging materials, structures and forms to actively intervene and protect the quality of goods and circulation safety; and to use information collection, management, control and processing technologies to complete the optimal management of transport packaging systems.

1 Features and Development of Functional Material Intelligent Packaging Technology

Functional material smart packaging refers to the use of new smart packaging materials to improve and increase the functionality of packaging to achieve and complete the purpose of specific packaging. At present, the developed material-based smart packaging usually uses photoelectric, temperature-sensitive, moisture-sensitive, gas-sensitive, and other functional materials, and has the functions of “identification” and “judgment” for environmental factors. The packaging material is made of composite material, which can identify and display some important parameters such as temperature, humidity, pressure, degree of sealing and time of the packaging micro space. This is a very functional packaging that is promising, and is particularly important for packaging products that require long-term storage.

This kind of material has a wide range of intelligent packaging applications. The technology has developed very rapidly and many mature products have emerged. U.S. Optical Coatings Test Center and PA Technology developed a plastic film that will change color under the action of external forces. The film is coated with reverse interference coatings of different wavelengths. Under normal conditions, the coating is brightly coloured. Once passively applied, the coating begins to peel off, the film turns gray, and the stripped part creates a pattern, providing a warning signal that the package was unsealed. This material is very suitable for packaging seals. U.S. International Paper uses an ultra-thin flexible battery developed by PowerPaper for the packaging of consumer products. The new battery can be “printed” on the packaging of the product like ink. Adding lights, sounds, and other special effects allows manufacturers to more effectively attract consumers through product packaging. This kind of packaging material also has a new type of conductive polymer material [3] that can be used for packaging in the 1990s, such as: polyaniline (PAn) film, poly(ethyl) thiophene (PEOT), poly (帷 M triple Thiophene (帷 MPTP), poly (butyl) thiophene (PBTh), poly (3-decyl) thiophene (P3AT), etc.; structural (conjugated) conductive polymers also invented polyparaphenylene (PPP), Polyphenylenevinylene (PPV), polydiacetylene (PDA), polyacene (PAS), polythiophene acetylene (PTV), polybutyne (PPB), and the like. These conductive polymer materials mainly adopt composite application methods such as PPyPPA, PTPPAN, PAnPET, PPyPET composite films, and their performance is greatly improved, and the conductivity can reach the level of silver and copper. These conductive polymer materials have good electrical conductivity and stability, and some also have heat resistance, electrochromic properties, photoelectric conversion properties, nonlinear optical properties, electromagnetic wave absorption properties, and catalytic properties. It is used in anti-static packaging, electromagnetic shielding packaging, smart viewing windows for packaging, stealth packaging, and selective air permeable film.

The intelligence of this material broadens the scope of application of the packaging, and the successful development of one kind of material will often bring about improvement of many functions of the packaging, which will have a multiplier effect. However, due to the large investment in research and development of new smart materials and the long cycle, they are often used as long-term research plans.

2 Functional Structure Intelligent Packaging Technology Features and Development

Functional structure smart packaging means that the packaging has certain special functions and intelligent features by adding or improving part of the packaging structure. Improvements in functional structures often begin with the security, reliability, and partial automation of the packaging. This structural change makes the packaged goods more secure, convenient, and concise.

This functional structural smart packaging is most representative of automatic heating and automatic cooling packaging [6]. Both of these packages increase the part of the structure of the package and allow the package to have a partial automatic function. Automatic heating type packaging is a multi-layer, seamless container made by injection molding method. The inner layer of the container is divided into multiple intervals to allow the product to self-heat. Its heating principle is that when the user takes the foil on the container and presses the bottom of the container, the water and limestone in the container will produce a chemical reaction, release heat energy, and then heat the product. The self-cooling package contains a condenser, an evaporation compartment and a bag of desiccant made of salt. The vapors and liquids produced by the catalytic action during cooling are stored at the bottom of the package. This technique can also be applied to ordinary containers, which can reduce the temperature of the contents of the container to 17 degrees Celsius in minutes. These two kinds of intelligent automatic packaging are suitable for fieldworkers, such as adventure, cycling, fishing enthusiasts and so on.

By purposefully changing the structure of the packaging, the security of the packaged goods can also be greatly improved. The security of packaging is mainly targeted at underage children and people with mental retardation and disabilities. This kind of packaging is called CHILDî““RESISTANT PACKAGING (CRP) [2-3]. Children's safe packaging is more complex and costly than ordinary packaging structures, but data shows that such packaging significantly reduces the damage to children from packaging and protects children's safety. At present, the main structural features of children's safe packaging on the market are the following: 1) Twist and twist cover: This is a composite bottle cap, which is completed by two simultaneous pressing and twisting operations. 2) Open the cover: This is also the more popular child protection cover. When used, it is required to align the cap with the mark (arrow) on the bottle, and then open the cap by opening the lug of the cap at the flange of the bottle flange. 3) Blister packs: To prevent children from opening ordinary blister packs, it is necessary to tear the back-side sticky paper from the corners, or to force the contents out of the back (PRESS THROUGH PACKAGE, PTP). 4) Labyrinth lid: This is a form of packaging that is opened up by intellectual skills. 5) Pull cap: The cap seal consists of two inwardly convex tongues (1 to 2 mm high, 2 to 3 mm long) and an inner plug at the bottom of the outer cap. Need to add a certain amount of force for pulling action to overcome the friction between the inner stopper and the bottle mouth. These movements are difficult for children to complete. 6) Single-dose anti-children pack: This is a single-dose package that prevents children from accidentally taking it. 7) Bayonet-type child-proof bottle A bayonet type cover, simpler than a labyrinth-like cover, and its principle is similar to a socket-type lamp holder. The Environmental Protection Agency Regulations promulgated by the United States in 1981 attached sufficient importance to the above factors and the structural performance of bottles and closures, and made corresponding provisions: after initial tests, such as packaging styling, materials, capacity, closure materials, or lid linings Changes in cushions, etc., need to be tested again to confirm their protection of child safety.

Changes in the packaging structure can be used to improve the reliability of the package and play a role in intelligent anti-counterfeiting [2-3]. These types of packaging are also known as “TAMPER(R) EVIDENT PACKAGING (TEP)”, which is a package that only removes internal products by opening or destroying a display or barrier. If the display or obstacle is broken, it will give later consumers visible evidence that the original product packaging has been disturbed (see U.S. Food and Drug Administration, November 5, 1982 in the Federal Register). 21CFR211.132 definition). The most typical structure of this kind of packaging is a destructible cover, formerly known as PILFERPROOF CAP. This metal or plastic cover can provide visible signs of damage to the seal, and it is used in large quantities for packaging of OTC drugs, beverages, foods, and the like. At present, there are mainly two forms of damage that can be tampered with. One is disconnected or tear-off, the other is vacuum. Can also be supplemented by the seal (see bottle closed within) to achieve burglary.

The functional structured intelligent packaging enables the packaging to have certain intelligent functions by changing part of the structure and device of the package. This structural change has the characteristics of low development cost and obvious functional effects, and can be used as the main target for short-term development. (to be continued)