Cellulose Fiber Absorbent for Spray Can Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbents for spray cans charged with liquefied gases, such as dimethyl ether and liquefied petroleum gas, suffer from poor liquid retention and leakage issues due to damaged fibers, impurities, and variable quality, leading to safety concerns and coloring of the gas when used in inverted positions.
Innovation Solution
A spray can product with an absorbent composed of at least 45 mass % fine cellulose fibers having a fiber length of 0.35 mm or less, covered with a surface sheet, and optionally including a fusion-bondable resin, which enhances liquid retention and prevents leakage by forming a stable configuration within the can.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pulverized waste papers are used as absorbent, then the liquid retaining force is degraded due to damaged fibers and impurities, but the manufacturing cost is reduced and recycling is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for cellulose fibers (fiber length 0.4mm or less, aspect ratio 50 or more, water retaining force 200% or more) to ensure adequate liquid retention while using readily available cellulose materials. This parameter control resolves the contradiction by defining minimum performance thresholds that can be achieved with economical materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent is formed as a composite structure combining cellulose fibers with a binder (5-50 mass% of the absorbent), creating a nonwoven fabric that maintains fiber integrity while providing structural stability. This composite approach enables use of economical cellulose sources while ensuring reliable liquid retention through the binder network.
2Reliability
If fine cellulose fibers with short length are used to improve liquid retention, then the absorbing performance is enhanced, but the structural stability of the absorbent assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the fiber length parameter to 0.4mm or less while simultaneously specifying an aspect ratio of 50 or more and water retaining force of 200% or more. These coordinated parameter changes enable short fibers to provide superior liquid retention while the high aspect ratio maintains adequate structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
By incorporating a binder at 5-50 mass% of the absorbent composition, the patent creates a composite nonwoven fabric structure where the binder acts as a binding matrix holding the short cellulose fibers together. This composite structure compensates for the reduced structural stability inherent in short fiber assemblies while maximizing liquid retention capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If waste papers with impurities are used as absorbent, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the liquefied gas is colored due to dissolved ink components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a fiber length of 0.4mm or less and aspect ratio of 50 or more, which requires significant fiber refinement. This refinement process naturally separates and removes impurities such as ink particles from the cellulose fibers, producing a clean absorbent that prevents gas coloring while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient use of recycled materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The nonwoven fabric structure with controlled porosity allows for filtration of impurities during the absorbent formation process. The binder matrix creates a porous structure that traps and retains particulate impurities while allowing liquefied gas to be absorbed, thus preventing ink components from dissolving into the gas.
4Ease of operation
If the spray can is used in inverted position, then the convenience of use is improved, but the liquefied gas leaks due to insufficient liquid retention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a water retaining force of 200% or more for the cellulose fibers, which provides sufficient capillary action and adhesion forces to counteract gravity when the can is inverted. This high water retaining force ensures that the liquefied gas is held firmly by the absorbent regardless of orientation, enabling convenient inverted use without leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite nonwoven fabric structure with binder provides a three-dimensional network that mechanically interlocks with the cellulose fibers, creating a stable absorbent matrix that maintains its structure under gravitational stress. This composite structure ensures consistent liquid retention even when the can is positioned upside down.
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 absorbent effectively retains liquefied gases, preventing leakage and enhancing safety by maintaining high liquid retention and absorbing performance, even when the spray can is used in inverted positions, thus ensuring the quality and environmental safety of the gas.
Implementation Method 1
the absorbent is composed of an assembly of pulverized cellulose fibers... which enhances liquid retention and prevents leakage
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent for the spray can is normally provided by pulverizing waste papers, etc., wrapping the same with a nonwoven fabric, and forming the wrapped waste paper into a cylindrical configuration
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
AI summary
An absorbent adapted to be used in a spray can charged with a liquefied gas, which exhibits excellent absorbing performance and excellent liquid retention. The absorbent is composed of an assembly of pulverized cellulose fibers that includes at least 45 mass % of fine cellulose fibers having a fiber length of 0.35 mm or less. The absorbent is formed into a sheet-shaped or a columnar configuration, or a surface sheet is laminated on a surface of the absorbent. The absorbent composed of 70 through 90 mass % of cellulose fibers that include 45 mass % or more of fine cellulose fibers having a fiber length of 0.35 mm or less, and 5 through 30 mass % of a fusion-bondable resin exhibits good formability.