Biodegradable Extrusion Grip Body for Cotton Buds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cotton buds have non-biodegradable plastic grip bodies that are inexpensive to produce but not environmentally friendly, and biodegradable alternatives like wood or cardboard grips are either costly or require significant effort to manufacture, lacking the necessary flexibility to prevent injury during use.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable extrusion grip body made from a material matrix embedded with natural fibers such as cellulose, rice husks, or straw, using materials like starch, polylactic acid, and other biodegradable polymers to create a fiber-reinforced structure with high tensile strength and flexibility, manufactured through an extrusion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the grip body is made of non-biodegradable plastic, then manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grip body is made from a composite material consisting of a biodegradable matrix material (such as starch, polylactic acid, or other biodegradable polymers) embedded with natural fibers (such as cellulose fibers, rice husks, or straw). This composite structure provides both environmental compatibility through biodegradability and mechanical strength through fiber reinforcement, while remaining manufacturable through extrusion processes.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the grip body is made of biodegradable materials like wood or cardboard, then environmental compatibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical manufacturing processes (such as cutting, punching, or winding required for cardboard and paper grips) with a continuous extrusion process. The extrusion method allows the biodegradable grip body to be formed directly from a molded state, significantly simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining environmental compatibility.
3Strength
If the grip body is made of rigid materials, then structural strength is improved, but safety deteriorates due to splintering risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by using a biodegradable matrix material with embedded natural fibers, creating a grip body that has sufficient structural strength for use but behaves differently under stress. When bent beyond its elastic limit, the grip body buckles without splintering, providing safety while maintaining adequate strength for its function.
4Ease of manufacture
If the grip body is made of plastic, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grip body uses a composite material system where biodegradable matrix materials (starch, polylactic acid, or other biodegradable polymers) are combined with natural fiber reinforcements. This composite structure achieves both cost-effectiveness and biodegradability, replacing non-biodegradable plastic while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through extrusion processes.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly grip body that is flexible and resistant to bending without splintering, suitable for beauty care and cosmetics, while being fully biodegradable and recyclable, reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The grip body (2) is formed from a rod-like biodegradable extrusion body
Data Source
AI summary
A cotton bud with a rod-like grip body and with a bud body that is arranged at least at one free end of the grip body. The rod-like grip body is a biologically degradable extrusion body, and includes natural fibers embedded into a material matrix.