Absorbent Material Washability and Absorbency Trade-off
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an absorbent material that balances high absorbency with the ability to be washed and reused, as existing disposable absorbent articles sacrifice absorbency when made washable, and reusable dish rags lack hygiene and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A non-woven web or tissue paper comprising continuous filaments and short fibers, including pulp and staple fibers, with a specific fiber composition and treatment, such as hydroentangling and the addition of a wet strength agent, to maintain high absorbency and durability during washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a binder is added to the absorbent material or thermo-bonding or mechanical bonding is employed to make it washable, then the material can be washed and reused, but the absorbency of the material is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes binders and bonding processes from the absorbent material formulation. Instead of using chemical binders or thermal/mechanical bonding to achieve washability, the patent formulates a material that relies on the inherent properties of hydrophilic fibers and their natural inter-fiber bonding, thereby eliminating the component (binder) and process (bonding) that compromise absorbency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fiber composition by using predominantly hydrophilic fibers (cotton, rayon, lyocell, hemp, flax, bamboo) with specific length and fineness ratios. This parameter change enables the material to achieve both washability through fiber-to-fiber bonding and high absorbency through hydrophilic properties, without requiring binders that would reduce absorbency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable absorbent articles are used, then hygiene is improved, but environmental and logistical drawbacks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables partial recovery and reuse of the absorbent material by making it washable and reusable up to 50 times or more. Instead of single-use disposal, the material can be rinsed and washed multiple times while maintaining functionality, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact while still providing hygienic performance through repeated use and laundering.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If dish rags are made for multiple uses, then environmental and logistical benefits are achieved, but hygiene and aesthetics deteriorate due to staining and dirt accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by using hydrophilic fibers with high absorbency and specific surface properties that resist staining. The fiber composition (predominantly cotton, rayon, lyocell, hemp, flax, or bamboo) and their physical properties enable the material to be washed repeatedly without accumulating stains and odors, thereby maintaining hygiene and aesthetics while allowing multiple uses.
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 material achieves rapid absorbency and minimal weight loss when washed, retaining its absorbency properties while being suitable for reuse, thus addressing the need for both hygiene and environmental considerations.
Implementation Method 1
the absorbent material exhibits an absorbency speed when measured with ISO 12625-8, of equal to or less than 2 s and an absorbency of at least 5 g/g
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent material is hydroentangled
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent material, such as a non-woven web or a tissue paper, includes continuous filaments and short fibers, the short fibers including natural and/or synthetic fibers or staple fibers. The absorbent material exhibits an absorbency speed of equal to or less than 2 s and a weight loss when washed of equal to or less than 5%. The absorbent material can be incorporated into a wipe.