Extrudable fiber composite material and its use and production

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extrudable fiber composite material, to a rod-shaped body extruded therefrom, including its use as a disposable article, and to a corresponding method of production.

Description

[0001] Extrudable fiber composite material and its use and production

[0002] The present invention relates to an extrudable

[0003] Fibre composite material, a rod-shaped body extruded therefrom including its use as

[0004] Disposable items and a corresponding manufacturing process.

[0005] Common disposable items are still manufactured inexpensively from plastics that are not biodegradable and pollute the environment. Common plastic alternatives are sometimes comparatively expensive and complex to produce, or have unfavorable properties for disposable items.

[0006] The object of the present invention was to provide a material which is biodegradable and suitable for the production of, among other things, disposable articles.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by an extrudable fiber composite material according to claim 1.

[0008] The extrudable fiber composite material according to the invention contains:

[0009] 25-80 wt%, optionally 25-60 wt%, optionally 30-40 wt% or 55-80 wt% starch, 10-65 wt% cellulose, in particular 10-34 wt% cellulose or 35-65 wt% cellulose, and at least 1 wt% water ad 100 wt%.

[0010] It was surprisingly found that the extrudable fiber composite material according to the invention has a sufficiently high dimensional stability and at the same time is sufficiently flexible to essentially prevent breakage of objects made therefrom when manipulated accordingly (in particular as intended).

[0011] For all aspects and embodiments of the present invention, "disposable articles" are understood to mean articles that are disposed of after both single and multiple uses. However, multiple uses are limited in number, e.g., to 2 to 5 uses.

[0012] The indication of the weight percentage, e.g. 10-65 wt%, means 10 wt% to 65 wt%.

[0013] Under "Extrusion" all aspects and

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention are understood to mean processes in which plastically deformable to viscous masses are extruded under pressure, e.g., from a shaping opening / environment. The extrusion can be carried out in a piston extruder or a screw extruder, in particular a single- or twin-screw extruder. The extrudable fiber composite material according to the invention is biodegradable and consists of environmentally friendly materials. Furthermore, the fiber composite material can be processed into a wide variety of shapes and objects by extrusion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the extrudable fiber composite material according to the invention can be thermoplastic.

[0016] The starch for use in the fiber composite material according to the invention can, in all aspects, be any known and / or commercially available starch, in particular thermoplastic starch, semi-thermoplastic starch, or starch blends. In one example, the fiber composite material according to the invention contains 30-40 wt% starch, in particular 30-35 wt% starch, in particular 30 wt% starch.

[0017] The cellulose for use in the fiber composite material according to the invention can, in all aspects, be any known and / or commercially available cellulose and can be present or used in the form of fibers, for example cellulose fibers from cotton, bast, wheat fibers, wood fibers, linen, or waste paper (including recycled paper). Furthermore, the cellulose for use in the fiber composite material according to the invention can be selected from hemicellulose, a cellulose derivative, for example methylcellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, viscose, and celluloid.

[0018] The cellulose for use in the inventive

[0019] Fiber composite material can, in all aspects, be a

[0020] Micro- and / or nanocellulose, which can be produced in particular with the help of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and / or fungi).

[0021] The fiber composite material according to the invention can contain plasticizers, e.g., 1-20 wt%, 1-9 wt%, 10-20 wt%, or 2-3 wt%, or it can be plasticizer-free, meaning that no plasticizer is present in the fiber composite material. The plasticizer can be suitable for making the fiber composite material softer, more flexible, more supple, and / or more elastic. Suitable plasticizers are known to those skilled in the art, with non-toxic and environmentally friendly plasticizers being particularly preferred.

[0022] The fiber composite material produced in this way is, for example, both compostable and biodegradable, and exhibits good resistance to high humidity while maintaining acceptable mechanical strength. Furthermore, the material can be sufficiently elastic and flexible, even in dry air.

[0023] In one embodiment of the extrudable fiber composite material, the cellulose is cellulose fibers, in particular cellulose fibers from cotton.

[0024] The extrudable fiber composite material contains the specified components (starch, cellulose and water), whereby further components can optionally be included as long as the specified wt% are met. Further components can be, for example, plasticizers, dyes, stabilizers or fillers. In one embodiment of the extrudable fiber composite material, the fiber composite material contains 1-20 wt% plasticizer, in particular 1-9 wt%, 2-3 wt% or 10-20 wt% plasticizer, in particular selected from acetamide, malic acid, asparagine, ethanolamine, ethylene glycol, formamide, glycerol, urea, ionic liquids, in particular l-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (BMIM Gl), isoleucine, maltodextrin, sorbitol, xylitol, higher alcohols, in particular octanediol or pentanediol, and a mixture thereof.

[0025] Further embodiments of the extrudable fiber composite material emerge from the features of dependent claim 3.

[0026] In one embodiment of the extrudable fiber composite material, the cellulose has a fiber length of 10 mm or less, in particular 5 mm or less, in particular 2 mm or less, in particular a fiber length of 30-90 pm.

[0027] Cellulose fibers, for example, can arise as a waste product from cotton processing. The use of these cellulose fibers proves to be cost-effective because they are a waste product.

[0028] Further embodiments of the extrudable fiber composite material emerge from the features of the dependent claims 4 and 5.

[0029] In one embodiment of the extrudable

[0030] In fiber composite material, the cellulose consists of

[0031] Cellulose fibers of different lengths, in particular long and short cellulose fibers. In one embodiment of the invention, the long cellulose fibers have a fiber length of 10 mm to 5 mm, and the short cellulose fibers have a fiber length of less than 5 mm, in particular 2 mm or less, in particular a fiber length of 30-90 gm. The use of short cellulose fibers with a size in the pm and / or nm range is possible (corresponding to microcellulose and / or nanocellulose).

[0032] Long fibers have the property of creating mechanical strength in the product, short fibers promote both crystallization of the starch and at the same time create beautiful, smooth surfaces.

[0033] In one embodiment of the extrudable fiber composite material, the cellulose consists of cellulose fibers of different lengths and the extrudable fiber composite material contains 1-20% plasticizer, in particular 1-20% by weight, 1-9% by weight or 10-20% by weight plasticizer, in particular selected from higher alcohols, in particular octanediol or pentanediol and a mixture thereof.

[0034] The invention further relates to a rod-shaped body according to claim 6.

[0035] The rod-shaped body according to the invention can be a solid body (without a cavity) or a hollow body.

[0036] The rod-shaped body according to the invention can in particular be an extruded rod-shaped body and contains an extrudable fiber composite material containing: starch,

[0037] Cellulose, in particular with a fiber length of 10 mm or less, in particular 5 mm or less, in particular 2 mm or less, in particular with a fiber length of 30-90 pm, and

[0038] Water.

[0039] The definitions and terminology used in connection with the extrudable fiber composite material also apply to the rod-shaped body.

[0040] The extrudable fiber composite material for the rod-shaped body can be thermoplastic. The fiber composite material of the rod-shaped body can contain plasticizers, e.g., 1-20 wt%, 1-9 wt%, 10-20 wt%, or 2-3 wt%, or it can be plasticizer-free, meaning that no plasticizer is present in the fiber composite material.

[0041] The rod-shaped body may be a hollow body and / or may have a round (including oval) or polygonal cross-section and be of any length. The term "rod-shaped" in this context means that the length of the body is greater than the diameter. In one embodiment, the body may be a hollow body and have a hollow profile, wherein the hollow body is substantially continuously hollow along its entire length.

[0042] The rod-shaped body contains the specified components (starch, cellulose, and water), although additional components may optionally be included. Additional components may include, for example, dyes, plasticizers, stabilizers, or fillers.

[0043] Embodiments of the rod-shaped body result from the features of the dependent claims 7 to 11. In one embodiment of the rod-shaped body, it contains the extrudable fiber composite material containing:

[0044] 25-80 wt%, optionally 25-60 wt%, optionally 30-40 wt% or 55-80 wt% starch,

[0045] 10-65 wt% cellulose, in particular 10-34 wt% cellulose or 35-65 wt% cellulose, and at least 1 wt% water ad 100 wt%, wherein the cellulose optionally has a fiber length of 10 mm or less, in particular 5 mm or less, in particular 2 mm or less, in particular a fiber length of 30-90 pm.

[0046] The cellulose fibers can be aligned along its longitudinal axis in the rod-shaped body.

[0047] In one example of the rod-shaped body, it contains the extrudable fiber composite material containing 30-40 wt% starch, in particular 30-35 wt% starch, in particular 30 wt% starch.

[0048] In one embodiment of the rod-shaped body, the extrudable fiber composite solid further contains plasticizers, in particular 1-20 wt%, 1-9 wt%, 2-3 wt%, or 10-20 wt% plasticizers, in particular selected from acetamide, malic acid, asparagine, ethanolamine, ethylene glycol, formamide, glycerol, urea, ionic liquids, in particular l-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (BMIM CI), isoleucine, maltodextrin, sorbitol, xylitol, higher alcohols, in particular octanediol or pentanediol, and a mixture thereof.

[0049] In one embodiment of the rod-shaped body, the body has a diameter of 2 to 15 mm, in particular 2 to 10 mm, in particular 2 to 3 mm, in particular approximately 2.5 mm.

[0050] In one embodiment, the rod-shaped body is a hollow body, in particular a hollow body with a wall thickness of 0.3 to 4 mm, in particular 0.3 to 0.7 mm, in particular 0.35 to 0.55 mm, advantageously approximately 0.45 mm.

[0051] It was surprisingly found that the rod-shaped body, in particular the hollow body, with the aforementioned dimensions and comprising the extrudable fiber composite material according to the invention is dimensionally stable but does not tend to break, but rather only to bend (e.g., during intended use). This ensures safe use of the rod-shaped body, in particular the hollow body, e.g., for hygiene products, cosmetic articles, food carriers, in particular for handles for lollipops or ice cream, or for drinking straws.

[0052] In one embodiment of the rod-shaped body, in particular a hollow body, it is coated with a water- and / or water vapor-impermeable layer, in particular wax from the food industry, in particular beeswax, gum mastic, carnauba wax or shellac.

[0053] The water and / or water vapor impermeable layer ensures, for example, that the body, especially hollow bodies, does not become brittle in an environment with low humidity, since the moisture (i.e. the water) remains enclosed in the extrudable fiber composite material.

[0054] The invention further relates to a cotton swab according to claim 12 and the use of the rod-shaped body, in particular hollow body, according to claim 13.

[0055] The cotton swab according to the invention has the rod-shaped body, in particular a hollow body, as a handle body and a cotton body arranged at at least one free end of the handle body.

[0056] The handle of the cotton swab can have a length of

[0057] 2 to 10 cm, in particular a length of 5 to 10 cm. The handle body can have a diameter of 2 to

[0058] 3 mm, in particular approx. 2.5 mm, and as a hollow body a wall thickness of 0.3 to 4 mm, in particular 0.3 to 0.7 mm, in particular 0.35 to 0.55 mm, advantageously approx. 0.45 mm.

[0059] The use according to the invention relates to the use of the rod-shaped body, in particular a hollow body, as a disposable article, in particular as a hygiene product, as a cosmetic article, in particular as a handle for a cotton swab, as a food carrier, in particular as a handle for a lollipop or for ice cream, or as a drinking straw.

[0060] The invention further relates to a method according to one of claims 14 or 15.

[0061] The method according to the invention for producing the rod-shaped body, in particular a hollow body, comprises the following steps:

[0062] (a) mixing the cellulose, water and starch, and

[0063] (b) Extruding the mixture from step (a) into a rod-shaped body, in particular a hollow body. In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the components from step (a) additionally comprise a plasticizer, so that the cellulose, water, plasticizer, and starch are mixed in step (a). Step (a) can be carried out in any suitable mixing device, which, for example, comprises an extrusion device or is spatially and / or functionally associated with such a device. The extrusion device can further comprise an extruder or have such a device spatially and / or functionally associated with such a device.

[0064] Further optional components of the rod-shaped body, in particular hollow body, e.g. dyes, can be added in step (a).

[0065] Embodiments of the process result from the features of dependent claim 16. In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, a single- or twin-screw extruder is used for extrusion in step (b).

[0066] To create the cavity in the hollow body, the extrusion mass (i.e., the mixture emerging from the extruder in step (b)) can be guided through a channel having a centrally located separating body that creates the cavity in the hollow body. The separating body can further comprise a nozzle in the extrusion direction through which a gas (e.g., air) is blown, preventing the cavity in the hollow body from closing after passing through the separating body.

[0067] The process according to the invention can in particular be a continuous process in which the rod-shaped body or hollow body is extruded as an endless longitudinal body.

[0068] Examples of embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to figures.

[0069] Fig. 1a a rod-shaped hollow body;

[0070] Fig. 1b a rod-shaped body (solid body);

[0071] Fig . 2 a cotton swab; and

[0072] Fig. 3 shows an extrusion channel with a separating body. Figure 1a shows the rod-shaped hollow body (10), and Figure 1b shows the rod-shaped solid body (1). A cavity (Figure 1a) extends along its length or longitudinal axis (from left to right in Figure 1a) within the hollow body.

[0073] Figure 2 shows a cotton swab (2) with the rod-shaped body or hollow body (1) as the handle body and the cotton bodies (3).

[0074] Figure 3 shows an exemplary extrusion channel (4) through which the extrusion mass (5) (i.e. the mixture in step (b) of the process according to the invention which emerges from the extruder) is conveyed in the direction of the arrow

[0075] (6) is moved, e.g. in a method according to the invention for producing the rod-shaped hollow body. A separating body

[0076] (7) in the extrusion channel (4) creates a cavity (8) in the extrusion mass (5). In order to close the cavity

[0077] (8) in the extrusion direction (6) after the separating body (7), the nozzle (9) is actively or passively ventilated with a gas (e.g. air).

Claims

Patent claims 1. Extrudable fiber composite material containing: 25-80 wt%, optionally 25-60 wt%, optionally 30-40 wt% or 55-80 wt% starch, 10-65 wt% cellulose, in particular 10-34 wt% cellulose or 35-65 wt% cellulose, and at least 1 wt% water to 100 wt%.

2. Extrudable fiber composite material according to claim 1 further comprising 1-20% plasticizer, in particular 1-9% by weight, 2-3% by weight or 10-20% by weight plasticizer, in particular selected from acetamide, malic acid, asparagine, ethanolamine, ethylene glycol, formamide, glycerol, urea, ionic liquids, in particular l-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (BMIM Gl), isoleucine, maltodextrin, sorbitol, xylitol, higher alcohols, in particular octanediol or pentanediol and a mixture thereof.

3. Extrudable fiber composite material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cellulose has a fiber length of 10 mm or less, in particular 5 mm or less, in particular 2 mm or less, in particular a fiber length of 30-90 pm.

4. Extrudable fiber composite material according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cellulose consists of cellulose fibers of different lengths, in particular of cellulose fibers with a length of 10 mm to 5 mm and with a length of 5 mm or less, in particular a fiber length of 30-90 pm.

5. Extrudable fiber composite material according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cellulose consists of cellulose fibers of different lengths and wherein the extrudable fiber composite material contains 1-20% plasticizer, in particular 1-9% by weight, 2-3% by weight or 10-20% by weight plasticizer, in particular selected from higher alcohols, in particular octanediol or pentanediol and a mixture thereof.

6. Rod-shaped body (1), in particular an extruded rod-shaped body, containing an extrudable fiber composite material containing: Strength , Cellulose, in particular with a fiber length of 10 mm or less, in particular 5 mm or less, in particular 2 mm or less, in particular with a fiber length of 30-90 pm, and Water .

7. Rod-shaped body (1) according to claim 6, wherein the extrudable fiber composite material further contains plasticizers, in particular selected from acetamide, malic acid, asparagine, ethanolamine, ethylene glycol, formamide, glycerol, urea, ionic liquids, in particular l-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (BMIM CI), isoleucine, maltodextrin, sorbitol, xylitol, higher alcohols, in particular octanediol or pentanediol and a mixture thereof.

8. Rod-shaped body (1) according to claim 6 or 7 containing the extrudable fiber composite material according to one of claims 1 to 5.

9. Rod-shaped body (1) according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the body has a diameter of 2 to 15 mm, in particular 2 to 3 mm, in particular approximately 2.5 mm.

10. Rod-shaped body (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the body is a hollow body (10), in particular a hollow body with a wall thickness of 0.3 to 4 mm, in particular 0.35 to 0.55 mm, advantageously approximately 0.45 mm.

11. Rod-shaped body (1), in particular hollow body (10), according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the body is provided with a water and / or water vapor impermeable Layer, especially wax from the Food industry, especially beeswax, rubber Mastic, carnauba wax, shellac, coated.

12. Cotton swab (2) with a rod-shaped body (1), in particular a hollow body (10), according to one of claims 6 to 11 as a handle body and a cotton body (3) arranged on at least one free end of the handle body.

13. Use of the rod-shaped body (1), in particular hollow body (10), according to one of claims 6 to 11 as a disposable article, in particular as a hygiene product, as a cosmetic article, in particular as a handle for a cotton swab, as a food carrier, in particular as a handle for a lollipop or for ice cream, or as a drinking straw.

14. A method for producing the rod-shaped body (1), in particular the hollow body (10), according to one of claims 6 or 8 to 11, comprising the steps: (a) mixing the cellulose, water and starch, and (b) extruding the mixture from step (a) into a rod-shaped body (1), in particular a hollow body (10).

15. A method for producing the rod-shaped body (1), in particular the hollow body (10), according to one of claims 7 to 11, comprising the steps: (a) mixing the cellulose, water, plasticizer and starch, and (b) extruding the mixture from step (a) into a rod-shaped body (1), in particular a hollow body (10).

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein an insertion or Twin-screw extruder is used for extruding in step (b).

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