Biodegradable Siplid Fluid Uptake Reduction via Compressed Pulp Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biodegradable siplids face issues with fluid uptake due to their structure and material, leading to decreased structural integrity and discolouration, especially with colored drinks.
Innovation Solution
The siplid is made from moulded pulp with compressed areas that have a reduced thickness and increased density, which reduces fluid uptake and enhances structural integrity and consumer satisfaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable siplids are made from moulded pulp with standard thickness and density, then they maintain sufficient flexibility and biodegradability, but they exhibit high fluid uptake leading to decreased structural integrity and discolouration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating compressed areas with different density and thickness characteristics at specific locations on the siplid. The compressed areas have increased density and decreased thickness compared to non-compressed areas, providing localized fluid resistance where needed (at clamping elements and sealing surfaces) while maintaining overall flexibility and biodegradability of the siplid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters (density and thickness) of the moulded pulp material through localized compression. By applying higher compression pressure to specific areas during manufacturing, the density increases and thickness decreases in those compressed areas, thereby reducing fluid uptake at critical locations without compromising the overall biodegradable nature of the siplid.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the thickness of the siplid is reduced and/or density is increased in compressed areas, then fluid uptake is reduced and structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compression step with the existing moulding process. The compression of specific areas to create varied density and thickness is integrated into the single-step moulding operation, rather than being a separate post-processing step. This reduces manufacturing complexity by combining multiple operations into one while still achieving the desired localized material properties.
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 effectively reduces fluid uptake, maintains structural integrity, and prevents discolouration, resulting in a more robust and aesthetically pleasing biodegradable siplid.
Implementation Method 1
The difference in thickness and/or density of the number of compressed areas is preferably a result of the manufacturing. It is noted that in most cases, the reduction in thickness will substantially automatically result in an increase of the density of that area, because the same amount of material is contained in a smaller volume (thus increasing density).
Data Source
Figure 1A~3
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a biodegradable siplid (258) from moulded pulp and/or moulded fiber comprising: • - a top wall (260) having a top wall (262) edge; • - a side wall (264) that is connected to the top wall along substantially the entire top wall edge, such that the side wall delineates the top wall; and • - one or more clamping elements (286) that are positioned in the side wall and that are configured to clamp the siplid over an edge of a cup and be in clamping connection with a side wall of said cup; wherein the siplid (260) comprises a number of compressed areas having a decreased thickness and/or an increased density. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a biodegradable siplid.