Flexible Soft Wipe Using Individualized Bast Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disposable wipes made of non-biodegradable plastic fibers are environmentally harmful and unsatisfactory in terms of flexibility and touch sensation, while alternatives using bast fibers are rough and difficult to produce.
Innovation Solution
A nonwoven substrate composed of 40% to 95% wood fibers and 5% to 60% individualized bast fibers, treated under pressure to achieve specific cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents, which are then mixed with wood fibers and processed using wetlaid, drylaid, or airlaid methods to create a flexible and pleasant-to-touch product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If bast fibers are used to replace synthetic fibers in disposable wipes, then environmental impact is reduced, but flexibility and touch sensation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by chemically treating bast fibers to modify their physical properties. Specifically, the bast fibers undergo treatment with sodium hydroxide solution under controlled conditions (temperature, concentration, time) to reduce their rigidity and improve flexibility. This chemical treatment alters the fiber structure by removing lignin and hemicellulose, resulting in softer, more flexible fibers that maintain environmental benefits while improving user comfort and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining treated bast fibers with wood fibers in specific proportions (30-70% bast fibers and 30-70% wood fibers). This composite structure leverages the biodegradability and softness of bast fibers while incorporating the strength and flexibility of wood fibers, creating a synergistic material that resolves the contradiction between environmental friendliness and mechanical performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bast fibers are used in disposable wipes, then biodegradability is improved, but production difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating bast fibers with sodium hydroxide solution before mixing with wood fibers. This pre-treatment step softens the bast fibers, improves their processability, and prepares them for easier integration into the nonwoven structure. By performing this chemical treatment in advance, the subsequent mixing and web formation steps become simpler and more efficient, reducing overall production difficulty while maintaining biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical treatment parameters (sodium hydroxide concentration, temperature, treatment time) are optimized to achieve the desired balance between fiber softness and production efficiency. By controlling these parameters, the treatment process becomes more predictable and easier to scale up for commercial production, reducing the complexity of manufacturing while preserving the biodegradable nature of bast fibers
3Ease of operation
If conventional plastic fibers are used in disposable wipes, then flexibility and ease of manufacture are maintained, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by chemically modifying bast fibers through sodium hydroxide treatment to alter their physical properties. The treatment conditions (concentration, temperature, time) are specifically controlled to reduce fiber rigidity and improve flexibility, enabling bast fiber-based wipes to achieve flexibility comparable to conventional plastic fiber wipes while maintaining biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining treated bast fibers with wood fibers in optimized ratios. This composite approach allows the wipe to achieve the flexibility and ease of manufacture associated with conventional materials while incorporating the environmental benefits of natural, biodegradable fibers, thereby resolving the environmental harm issue without sacrificing performance
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 resulting substrate is flexible, pleasant to the touch, and has mechanical properties comparable to non-treated substrates, with improved production ease and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
treating bast fibers under pressure in a solvent in order to obtain the individualized bast fibers
Implementation Method 2
treating bast fibers under pressure in a solvent in order to obtain the individualized bast fibers having the particular cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a nonwoven substrate comprising individualized flax fibers comprising specific cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents.