Regenerated Cellulose Microfiber Base Sheet for Food Wrap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current food-wrap base sheets require high amounts of expensive additives for water and grease resistance, which complicates processing and printing, and there is a need for a solution that reduces the use of these additives while maintaining desired physical properties.

Innovation Solution

A base sheet composed of pulp-derived papermaking fibers and fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfibers with a Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 mL, treated with water or grease-resistant agents, which reduces the need for conventional additives like wet strength resins and opacifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional additives (wet strength resins, opacifiers) are used to improve water and grease resistance, then the desired physical properties are achieved, but processing difficulties are aggravated and printing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater and grease resistanceVSAvoidprocessing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of fiber composition by incorporating fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfibers with specific properties (CSF value less than 175 mL) into the paper base sheet. This parameter change enables the base sheet itself to provide water and grease resistance without requiring high amounts of conventional additives, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving reliability and maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite paper base sheet combining pulp-derived papermaking fibers with fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfibers. This composite structure inherently provides water and grease resistance through the microfiber network, eliminating the need for heavy reliance on conventional chemical additives and reducing processing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If conventional additives are used to provide wet strength and opacity, then the desired physical properties are achieved, but the amount of expensive additives must be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewet strengthVSAvoidadditive amount

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfibers serve a dual function: they provide structural reinforcement for wet strength while simultaneously creating a network that resists water and grease penetration. This self-service capability of the microfibers eliminates the need for separate wet strength resins and opacifiers, reducing additive quantity while maintaining desired strength properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfibers perform multiple functions simultaneously: they enhance wet strength, provide water and grease resistance, and contribute to opacity. This multi-functionality allows a single additive (the microfibers) to replace multiple conventional additives, reducing the total quantity of substances required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8361278B2Food wrap base sheet with regenerated cellulose microfiber

Publication Date: 2013.01.29 GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A base sheet for food wrap products. The base sheet can include a pulp-derived papermaking fiber and a fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber having a CSF value of less than about 175 mL.