Antimicrobial Paper Web with Integrated Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Antimicrobial paper coatings are prone to being rubbed off or destroyed during storage or shipping, and they do not release antimicrobial agents when wetted, thus failing to provide protection against microorganisms on surfaces or body parts.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial paper is developed with a cationizing agent and an antimicrobial agent, applied at specific concentrations, which is integrated into the paper web at high consistency, allowing for the release of the antimicrobial agent when wetted, thereby providing protection against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an antimicrobial coating is applied to paper sheets, then antimicrobial protection is provided, but the coating is easily rubbed off or destroyed during storage or shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antimicrobial agent with the paper matrix during the papermaking process rather than applying it as a separate coating. The antimicrobial agent is incorporated into the slurry and integrated with the paper fibers through bonding, creating a unified structure where the antimicrobial function is inherent to the paper itself rather than being a separate layer that can detach.
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial agent is added to the slurry during the papermaking process before the paper is formed and dried. This preliminary incorporation ensures the antimicrobial agent is distributed throughout the paper matrix and bonded to fibers during the formation process, rather than being applied afterward as a surface coating that would be prone to damage.
2Reliability
If an antimicrobial agent is attached to the paper sheet, then the paper has antimicrobial properties, but the agent is not released when contacted with surfaces or body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical and chemical parameters of the paper during the drying process. As the paper dries and the water evaporates, the concentration of the antimicrobial agent increases and its binding characteristics change, allowing it to transition from a water-soluble state in the slurry to a controlled-release state in the finished paper. This parameter change enables the agent to be released upon contact with moisture from surfaces or body parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial agent's release characteristics are made dynamic rather than static. The agent is designed to release in response to environmental conditions - specifically, it remains bound during storage but releases when exposed to moisture from contacted surfaces or body parts. This dynamic behavior allows the paper to provide active protection when needed while maintaining stability during storage and shipping.
3Reliability
If the antimicrobial agent concentration is increased, then better antimicrobial protection is achieved, but the cost and potential irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves uniform distribution of the antimicrobial agent throughout the paper matrix, ensuring consistent local concentration across the entire paper surface. This uniform distribution prevents localized areas of excessive concentration that could cause irritation while maintaining effective antimicrobial protection across all contact points. The agent is integrated at the fiber level rather than concentrated on the surface.
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 antimicrobial paper effectively releases a portion of its antimicrobial agent when wetted, providing residual antimicrobial activity on surfaces or body parts, enhancing protection against microorganisms while maintaining paper integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the cationizing agent and/or the antimicrobial agent are added to the paper web... the cationizing agent can have a charge density above about 2 eq/kg
Implementation Method 2
the antimicrobial agent is water soluble and a portion of the antimicrobial agent is released when the antimicrobial paper is wetted
Data Source
AI summary
An antimicrobial paper includes a paper web having a grammage between 10 and 60 grams per square meter, a cationizing agent in a concentration ranging between 0.05 wt % and 5 wt %, an antimicrobial agent in a concentration ranging between 0.01 wt % and 3 wt %, the antimicrobial agent and the cationizing agent being added on the paper web having a consistency above 15 wt %, the antimicrobial paper having an antimicrobial agent release of above about 0.01 wt % when wetted.