Bagasse Cellulose Composite for Food Packaging Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional paper-based materials lack the required heat, oil, and water resistance, making them unsuitable for use in food storage and packaging applications, and they do not possess the necessary strength and stiffness to function as structural components in dry food containers.

Innovation Solution

A composite material is developed by combining micro- or nano-fibrillated cellulose derived from bagasse fibers with renewable polymers, which is semi-permeable or impermeable to gases and liquids, and is used to create paper-based products with enhanced mechanical and barrier properties, such as coffee capsules and food containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional paper-based materials are used, then they are easy to manufacture and biodegradable, but they lack heat, oil, and water resistance and insufficient strength and stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength and stiffnessVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines micro- or nano-fibrillated cellulose with renewable polymers to create a composite material that achieves both high strength/stiffness and barrier properties. The composite integrates cellulose fibers for structural integrity with polymer matrices for heat, oil, and water resistance, resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and material complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of cellulose by fibrillating it into micro- or nano-scale dimensions. This parameter change increases the surface area and interaction points between cellulose and polymer, enhancing mechanical strength and barrier properties while maintaining biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional paper-based materials are used, then they are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, but they lack the required barrier properties against heat, oil, and water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarrier propertiesVSAvoidheat, oil, and water penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material combines cellulose with renewable polymers that provide complementary barrier properties. The polymer matrix fills gaps between cellulose fibers, creating a denser structure that resists heat, oil, and water penetration while maintaining environmental friendliness through biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different materials with specific local functions: cellulose provides structural framework and porosity control, while polymer phases provide localized barrier properties against heat, oil, and water. This local quality differentiation achieves comprehensive barrier protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If micro- or nano-fibrillated cellulose is combined with renewable polymers, then heat, oil, and water resistance is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat, oil, and water resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares micro- or nano-fibrillated cellulose as a pre-processed material with controlled morphology and surface properties before combining it with polymers. This preliminary action simplifies the subsequent composite formation process by ensuring consistent starting material that requires minimal additional processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses aqueous suspensions or slurries as intermediary media to facilitate the combination of hydrophilic cellulose and hydrophobic polymers. This intermediary approach allows controlled mixing and uniform distribution of components, simplifying the manufacturing process despite the complexity of combining different material types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the material is made semi-permeable or impermeable to gases and liquids, then food quality and safety are preserved, but the porosity and breathability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood quality preservationVSAvoidporosity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the inherent porous structure of fibrillated cellulose as a beneficial feature rather than eliminating it. The controlled porosity allows selective permeability where small molecules like oxygen and water vapor can pass through while larger liquid water and oil are blocked, achieving food preservation without complete impermeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure creates a hierarchical barrier system where cellulose fibers provide structural porosity and polymer phases provide selective blocking. This composite approach achieves semi-permeability that preserves food quality by blocking harmful substances while allowing beneficial gas exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10988897B2Cellulose materials and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 ECOINNO H K LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides materials such as cellulose based materials and composite materials. Also provided herein are methods for making or using the materials.