Articles Comprising Fibrous Materials

Abstract

To provide an article that contains a fibrous material but allows reduction in environmental load when the article is disposed of.SOLUTION: An article 100 has a main layer 30 having a fibrous substrate 10 and natural glue 20 with which the fibrous substrate 10 has been impregnated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to articles comprising fibrous materials. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Various articles made of a mixture of a fibrous material, such as wood fiber, wood flour, or dietary fiber, and a synthetic resin have been known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-158751 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-124506 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-163134 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional articles maintain their shape by dispersing fibrous material in a synthetic resin.

[0005] However, articles containing a large amount of synthetic resin impose a large burden on the environment when disposed of.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide an article that contains a fibrous material and yet reduces the burden on the environment when the article is disposed of. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An article according to one aspect of the present invention includes a fibrous base material and a natural glue impregnated into the fibrous base material.

[0008] The fibrous substrate can be one selected from the group consisting of nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, knitted fabric, braided fabric, and paper.

[0009] The fibrous base material may include animal and / or vegetable fibers.

[0010] The fibrous substrate may include at least one selected from the group consisting of silk, cotton, hemp fiber, pulp, bamboo, wood, and paper.

[0011] The natural glue may be at least one selected from the group consisting of natural resins, proteins, polysaccharides, and natural waxes.

[0012] A waterproof layer can be further provided on the surface of the fibrous base material impregnated with the natural glue.

[0013] The waterproof layer may include at least one selected from the group consisting of natural resins and natural waxes.

[0014] The article may be one selected from the group consisting of tableware, furniture, and stationery.

[0015] The article may be selected from the group consisting of a straw, a spoon, a fork, a knife, chopsticks, a stirrer, and a plate. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, there is provided an article which contains a fibrous material and which can reduce the burden on the environment when the article is disposed of. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an article according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a straw according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a straw according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a straw according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] An example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, an article 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fibrous base material 10 and a main layer 30 having a natural glue 20 impregnated into the fibrous base material 10 .

[0020] The fibrous base material 10 is formed from a large number of fibers 12 and can maintain a sheet-like, rod-like, cylindrical, or other unified form without being impregnated with natural glue. Wood flour, dietary fiber powder, and the like are not included in the fibrous base material.

[0021] The fibers 12 of the fibrous base material 10 may be natural fibers or man-made fibers (chemical fibers).

[0022] Examples of natural fibers include animal fibers such as animal hair (wool, cashmere, etc.) and silk; plant fibers such as cotton, flax fibers (hemp, ramie, linen, etc.), wood pulp (natural wood, light wood, etc.), non-wood pulp (straw, bagasse, reed, kenaf, mulberry, paper mulberry, mitsumata, gampi, etc.), bamboo (bamboo strips, etc.), wood (wood ribbons, etc.), and paper (paper ribbons, etc.); and mineral fibers.

[0023] Examples of man-made fibers include inorganic fibers such as metal fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, and rock fibers, and organic fibers such as synthetic fibers (nylon, polyester, acrylic, vinylon, etc.), semi-synthetic fibers (acetate, triacetate, promix, etc.), and regenerated fibers (rayon, cupra, etc.).

[0024] In the present invention, it is particularly preferred that the fibrous base material contains natural fibers, particularly animal fibers and / or vegetable fibers. It is particularly preferred that the fibrous base material contains natural fibers and does not contain artificial fibers.

[0025] Particularly suitable fibers are at least one selected from the group consisting of silk, cotton, hemp fiber, wood pulp, non-wood pulp, bamboo (e.g., ribbons of bamboo slats (flat bamboo strips)), wood (e.g., ribbons of wooden slats (veneer)), and paper (e.g., ribbons of paper). The thickness of the bamboo, wood, and paper materials can be 0.05 to 2 mm, and the width can be 8 to 300 mm.

[0026] An example of the form of the fibrous substrate is one selected from the group consisting of nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, knitted fabric, braided fabric, and paper.

[0027] An example of a nonwoven fabric is a felt made of the various fibers mentioned above (for example, animal hair such as wool).

[0028] The woven fabric may be a fabric made of yarns of the above-mentioned various fibers, for example, a cotton woven fabric, a hemp fiber woven fabric, or a silk woven fabric.

[0029] The knitted fabric may be made of yarn of any of the above-mentioned fibers (for example, cotton, silk, wool, etc.), and may be knitted in any manner.

[0030] The braid may be a braid of threads of the above-mentioned various fibers (e.g., cotton, silk, wool, pulp, bamboo, wood, etc.), a braid of ribbons of nonwoven / woven / knitted fabrics of the above-mentioned various fibers (e.g., cotton, silk, wool, etc.), or a braid of ribbons of bamboo, wood, or paper. Examples of braiding methods include solid braids (round, square, etc.), hollow braids (tubular round braids, etc.), and sheet-like braids (flat braids). Braids are also called braided cords.

[0031] Examples of paper include wood pulp paper such as Western paper and non-wood pulp paper such as Japanese paper. Paper can be obtained by filtering various types of pulp using a known method.

[0032] (Natural glue) The natural glue is an adhesive containing naturally derived components as the main components (50% by mass or more, preferably 70% by mass or more, and more preferably 80% by mass or more).

[0033] The natural glue may be an adhesive whose main component is an animal-derived or plant-derived component. The natural glue may be water-soluble.

[0034] The natural glue can be at least one selected from the group consisting of natural resins, proteins, polysaccharides, and natural waxes.

[0035] Examples of natural resins are shellac, rosin, and lacquer.

[0036] Shellac is a resin produced by scale insects, and more specifically, it can be obtained by purifying the insect body covering secreted by lac scale insects and closely related scale insects.

[0037] Pine resin is a resin secreted by pine trees.

[0038] Lacquer is a resin whose main components are urushiol, laccol, and thitsiol, and is obtained from plants of the Anacardiaceae family.

[0039] Examples of proteins are glue and casein. Glue is based on proteins such as gelatin that are derived from animals such as cows and pigs. Casein is a protein isolated from milk such as cow's milk.

[0040] Examples of polysaccharides are glucomannan, starch paste, and seaweed paste.

[0041] Glucomannan is the main component of konnyaku tubers and is known as the raw material for konnyaku, and is also called konnyaku mannan.

[0042] Starch paste is a paste that is based on gelatinized starch. Examples of starch sources are corn, rice, tapioca, wheat, beans, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

[0043] Seaweed paste is a glue made primarily from polysaccharides extracted from seaweed, an example of which is red seaweed.

[0044] Examples of red algae are Acanthus cerasifera, Ginkgo biloba, Funori and Suginori. An example of a polysaccharide extracted from these red algae is carrageenan.

[0045] Another example of a red alga is Gelidium, and an example of a polysaccharide extracted from Gelidium is agarose.

[0046] Other examples of seaweed are brown algae such as kelp, and examples of polysaccharides obtained from these brown algae are alginic acid and its salts (sodium salt, potassium salt, etc.).

[0047] Among these seaweed pastes, seaweed pastes containing carrageenan as the main component, which is extracted from hornwort, ginkgo, funori, etc., are preferred.

[0048] Examples of natural waxes include animal waxes such as beeswax and spermaceti, and vegetable waxes such as wood wax (eg, wax, lacquer wax), carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice wax, etc. Natural waxes do not include paraffin wax obtained by refining petroleum.

[0049] The methods for producing each of the above natural glues are well known and are commercially available.

[0050] The natural glue may in particular be at least one selected from glucomannan, seaweed [red seaweed (carrageenan)] glue, tapioca glue, shellac, natural waxes (carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice wax, beeswax).

[0051] The natural glue 20 is impregnated into the fibrous substrate 10. The natural glue 20 can be present in each fiber (such as thread) 12 of the fibrous substrate 10, and can also be present in the gaps between the fibers 12 of the fibrous substrate 10. When the fibers 12 of the fibrous substrate 10 include threads or pulp, the natural glue 20 can be present both within and between the fibers 12 to provide sufficient strength to the main layer 30, and liquids such as water and gases such as air are less likely to pass through the main layer 30, making it easier to use the fiber 30 for tableware and other applications. When the fibers 12 of the fibrous substrate 10 are made of bamboo, wood, or the like, it is usually difficult to impregnate the fibers 12 with natural glue, but the natural glue 20 can be present between the fibers 12 to similarly improve strength and inhibit the passage of liquids and gases.

[0052] (waterproof layer) The article 100 of this embodiment can have a waterproof layer 40 on one or both surfaces of the main layer 30 including the fiber base material 10 and the natural glue 20. The waterproof layer 40 may be provided on only one surface of the main layer 30, but it is preferable that the waterproof layer 40 is provided on both surfaces.

[0053] The waterproof layer 40 may be a layer containing at least one selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned natural resins and natural waxes. The waterproof layer 40 may contain a total of 50% by mass or more of the above-mentioned natural resins and natural waxes, preferably 70% by mass or more, and more preferably 80% by mass or more. The waterproof layer 40 may contain a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, or acrylic resin, but it is preferable that the waterproof layer 40 does not contain such a synthetic resin.

[0054] When the waterproof layer 40 contains shellac, the water resistance is improved, making it suitable for articles such as tableware. In addition, heat resistance up to about 120°C can be imparted, making it particularly suitable for use in cups such as coffee cups, plates such as soup plates, or lampshades, where heat resistance is required.

[0055] (Production method of the article) To manufacture such an article, first, a fibrous base material 10 is prepared and impregnated with unsolidified natural glue such as a natural glue solution into the fibrous base material 10. Thereafter, if necessary, the shape of the fibrous base material 10 is changed to a desired shape, for example, a final shape such as a straw, and maintained, and then dried in that state to solidify the natural glue.

[0056] The natural paste solution can be obtained by dissolving the natural paste in a solvent such as water or alcohol as necessary.

[0057] In addition, when the natural glue such as natural wax is thermoplastic, the natural glue can be heated to a liquid state and impregnated into the fibrous base material instead of the natural glue solution. The main layer can also be formed and bonded while the fibrous base material impregnated with the natural glue is heated.

[0058] (Specific form of the item) Next, a specific form of the article 100 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a straw 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For simplification, FIG. 1 shows only the fibrous substrate 10, and the natural glue and the waterproof layer are omitted. In the straw 200 of this embodiment, a cylindrical shape is formed by partially overlapping the ends of the fibrous substrate 10. The fibrous substrates 10 are bonded to each other with the natural glue impregnated in the fibrous substrate 10. Such a straw can be manufactured by impregnating the fibrous substrate 10 cut to a predetermined size with a natural glue solution, rolling the fibrous substrate 10 into a cylindrical shape along the outer periphery of a cylinder, partially overlapping the fibrous substrates 10, and drying in that state.

[0059] The fibrous base material may be any of woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, knitted fabric, braided fabric, and paper.

[0060] Fig. 3 is an example of a straw 200 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike Fig. 2, there is no large seam in the fibrous base material 10. Examples of such a fibrous base material 10 can be obtained by using a tubular knitted fabric obtained by circular knitting yarn, a tubular woven fabric obtained by circularly weaving yarn with a circular loom, or a braided fabric in which various ribbon-like fibers (woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, knitted fabric, wood, bamboo, paper) are braided into a tubular shape. In this case, since there is no large seam in the fibrous base material 10, the appearance is excellent and the strength of the straw is also strong.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows an example of a straw that uses a cylindrical braid of ribbon-like fibers 12 as a fibrous base material. Specifically, this braid is a round braid in which multiple ribbon-like fibers 12 extending in a spiral shape are braided into a cylindrical shape.

[0062] As described above, examples of ribbon-shaped fibers used for braiding include bamboo, wood, paper, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and knitted fabric. The natural glue is present between the ribbon-shaped fibers 12, and in some cases, is present inside the ribbon-shaped fibers.

[0063] (Action and effect) According to the present invention, the gaps in the fibrous substrate 10 can be filled with natural glue in the main layer 30, making it possible to maintain the shape of the main layer 30 and to increase the strength of the main layer 30. Therefore, the amount of synthetic resin used in the article can be reduced, and various articles using the fibrous substrate can be provided. From the viewpoint of the environmental load at the time of disposal, the main layer 30 may contain a synthetic resin such as vinyl acetate resin, urethane resin, or epoxy resin, but it is preferable that the main layer 30 does not contain a synthetic resin. In addition, if necessary, the article can be provided with a member containing a synthetic resin separately from the main layer 30, but it is preferable that the article does not have a member containing a synthetic resin.

[0064] Furthermore, by providing a waterproof layer 40 on the main layer 30, the penetration of water into the main layer 30 is further suppressed, making it suitable for use in articles that come into contact with water-based liquids, such as straws. It also becomes easier to wash and reuse the article.

[0065] In particular, when the fibers of the fibrous base material contain natural fibers, especially animal fibers and / or vegetable fibers, the fibrous base material is easily decomposed in the environment after use in addition to the natural glue, and the environmental burden after disposal is further reduced.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Examples of the form of the article include tableware, furniture, and stationery.

[0067] Examples of tableware are straws, spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, stirrers, plates, and coasters.

[0068] Examples of furniture are lampshades, chairs (backrest / arms / seat, etc.), tables (table tops, etc.), drawers (front veneer, etc.), and chests of drawers (front veneer, etc.).

[0069] Examples of stationery include cases for various pens such as ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, and pencils, in which the main layer is used for the pen shaft, as well as cases for smartphones and pencil cases.

[0070] There is no particular limitation on the size of these, and they can be set appropriately depending on the application.

[0071] The article may consist of only the main layer 30 and a waterproof layer provided on one or both sides of the main layer 30 as necessary, or may include other components.

[0072] A particularly preferred combination of fibrous base material and natural size is woven silk (eg, 100% silk) or woven cotton (100% cotton) in combination with glucomannan or carrageenan, and even more preferred is a waterproof layer of shellac. EXAMPLES

[0073] Example 1 A straw was created as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, handmade Japanese paper, 100% silk woven fabric, and 100% cotton woven fabric were prepared as fibrous substrates. Each fibrous substrate was impregnated with a carrageenan solution or a glucomannan solution, then wrapped around the outer periphery of a cylinder so that they overlapped partially, and then dried to obtain a cylindrical main layer containing natural glue and the fibrous substrate. After drying, a shellac solution was applied to both sides of the main layer containing the fibrous substrate and natural glue, and then dried to form a waterproof layer. The resulting straw had sufficient strength and could be used as a straw.

[0074] Example 1A A ribbon of handmade Japanese paper was prepared and impregnated with rice wax or carnauba wax, which was then heated to 85℃ to melt and impregnate the paper. The paper was then wrapped around the outer circumference of a cylinder in a spiral shape with some overlapping, and the paper was then heated with a hair dryer to set the shape and dry. The resulting straw had sufficient strength and could be used as a straw.

[0075] Example 1B The fibrous substrate impregnated with the natural starch (carrageenan or glucomannan) solution was held in the shape of a spoon and a plate, and dried to obtain a spoon and a plate.

[0076] Example 2 A straw was produced in the manner shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the procedure was the same as in Example 1, except that a cylindrical knitted fabric made by circularly knitting 100% cotton yarn was used as the fibrous base material. The resulting straw had sufficient strength and could be used as a straw.

[0077] Example 3 A straw was created as shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, the process was the same as in Example 1, except that a round braid of paper ribbons and a round braid of flat bamboo strips were used as the cylindrical fibrous base material. The resulting straw had sufficient strength and could be used as a straw.

[0078] Example 4 Four types of solid rod-shaped braids were obtained by braiding multiple strings made of silk, cotton, pulp, or bamboo threads. The braids were impregnated with glucomannan solution or carrageenan and dried in a columnar state. A waterproof layer was then formed on the surface with a shellac solution to obtain rod-shaped articles. These rod-shaped articles could be used as stirrers or chopsticks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10...fibrous base material, 20...natural glue, 30...main layer, 40...waterproof layer, 100...item, 200...straw (item).

Claims

1. A method for making a waterproofing material comprising: a fibrous base material; a natural glue (excluding those containing lacquer) impregnated into the fibrous base material; and a waterproof layer on a surface of the fibrous base material impregnated with the natural glue; The article, wherein the waterproof layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of natural resins and natural waxes. (However, this does not include straws, in which the fibrous base material is paper and the natural glue is shellac or starch glue. (Excluding those having a solidified layer of a mixed liquid agent containing an organoalkoxysilane-based liquid agent on the surface of the fibrous base material.)

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous substrate is one selected from the group consisting of nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, braided fabrics, and paper.

3. The article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fibrous substrate comprises animal and / or vegetable fibers.

4. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fibrous substrate comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of silk, cotton, hemp fiber, pulp, bamboo, wood, and paper.

5. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the natural glue is at least one selected from the group consisting of natural resins, proteins, polysaccharides, and natural waxes.

6. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is one selected from the group consisting of tableware, furniture, and stationery.

7. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is selected from the group consisting of a straw, a spoon, a fork, a knife, chopsticks, a stirrer, and a plate.

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