Building Element Using Recycled Pulp from Laminated Food Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laminated food packages made of paper with waterproof plastic or aluminum sheets are not recyclable and contribute significantly to waste, as existing recycling technologies are not applicable to non-returnable packages like tetra-packs used for liquid packaging.
Innovation Solution
A building and construction element is created using ground cellulose-based materials from laminated food packages, with a pressed pulp basic layer covered by a plastic sheet and thermally insulating material, allowing for the production of hygienic and non-defective building materials with low absorbability and emissions, suitable for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laminated food packages are used for liquid packaging, then packaging performance is improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The package is divided into separable components: a reusable container made of recyclable materials and a removable liner made of biodegradable cellulose-based material. This segmentation allows the container to be recycled while the liner is composted, resolving the contradiction between packaging performance and recyclability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters of the liner from conventional plastics to cellulose-based materials with specific properties (water solubility, biodegradability). This parameter change enables the liner to be composted rather than recycled, solving the recyclability issue while maintaining packaging functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional recycling technologies are applied to non-returnable packages, then recycling process is simplified, but processing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is extracted as a separate, removable component from the container. This extraction allows conventional recycling technologies to process the container while the liner is separately composted, resolving the contradiction between process simplicity and processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable liner acts as an intermediary that facilitates separation between the container and waste materials. This intermediary enables specialized processing for each component, resolving the contradiction between simple recycling processes and effective processing capability.
3Productivity
If waste materials are used for building elements, then resource utilization is improved, but material quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material system combining cellulose-based liner material with container materials. This composite approach allows waste materials to be utilized while maintaining required material quality through proper material selection and composition, resolving the contradiction between resource utilization and material quality.
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 recycles waste materials into usable building elements with improved thermal insulation and mechanical properties, reducing waste and enabling the production of materials suitable for interior and exterior use, including flooring and panel systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least inside layer of thermally insulating material positioned between the basic payers
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
For a production of building and construction elements with utilization of municipal wastes there is designed an element provided with at least one basic layer (1) of pressed pulp of laminated foodstuff packages, covered at least at one side by a plastic sheet (3) and having outside cover layers (2). The basic layer (1) comprises particles the dimension of which is maximal 30 mm.