Compostable Quat Wipes With Neutral-pH Plant-Fiber Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning wipes are made from non-renewable, non-biodegradable materials, have low pH that weaken substrates and limit surface compatibility, and exhibit poor performance on greasy soils, while also posing environmental impact due to non-compostability.
Innovation Solution
Develop disinfecting wipes with a nonwoven substrate composed of renewable plant-based fibers, such as cellulose derivatives, and a sanitizing composition containing a quaternary ammonium compound, surfactant, and water, with a pH of 5-8, ensuring biodegradability and compostability under ASTM standards, and effective antimicrobial efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional petrochemical materials (polypropylene, PET) are used for wipe substrates, then wipe strength and durability are improved, but biodegradability and compostability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from petrochemical polymers to plant-based cellulose derivatives, transforming the wipe from non-biodegradable to biodegradable and compostable while maintaining adequate strength through optimized fiber composition and substrate formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite wipe system combining plant-based substrate materials with biodegradable binding agents and compatible cleaning formulations, achieving both structural integrity and environmental compatibility through synergistic material selection
2Reliability
If low pH disinfecting compositions (citric acid or lactic acid based) are used, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but substrate strength and surface compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the disinfecting composition from acidic (citric/lactic acid based) to neutral or slightly alkaline, which preserves substrate strength and surface compatibility while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy through alternative active ingredients like quaternary ammonium compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of neutral pH (which traditionally provides weaker antimicrobial action) into a benefit by using quaternary ammonium compounds that effectively provide antimicrobial activity at neutral pH, thereby protecting both substrate and surfaces while achieving disinfection
3Reliability
If low pH acid-based formulations are used, then antimicrobial action is improved, but performance on greasy soils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to neutral or slightly alkaline and formulates the cleaning composition with surfactants and enzymes specifically optimized for this pH range, enabling effective removal of greasy soils while maintaining antimicrobial activity through quaternary ammonium compounds
4Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable plant-based substrates are used, then compostability is improved, but antimicrobial efficacy and cleaning performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite system where biodegradable plant-based substrate materials are combined with biodegradable binding agents and effective antimicrobial cleaning formulations, achieving both compostability and reliable antimicrobial efficacy through synergistic material selection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning formulation to use quaternary ammonium compounds and surfactants that are effective at neutral pH and compatible with biodegradable substrates, maintaining antimicrobial efficacy while preserving compostability
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 wipes achieve at least a 3-log reduction in target microbes within minutes, maintain tensile strength for extended shelf life, and are safe on various surfaces, while being fully compostable and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a sanitizing composition containing a quaternary ammonium compound, surfactant, and water, with a pH of 5-8, ensuring biodegradability and compostability under ASTM standards, and effective antimicrobial efficacy
Implementation Method 2
a sanitizing composition containing a quaternary ammonium compound, surfactant, and water
Implementation Method 3
a nonwoven substrate composed of renewable plant-based fibers, such as cellulose derivatives... fully compostable and environmentally friendly
Implementation Method 4
maintain tensile strength for extended shelf life, and are safe on various surfaces, while being fully compostable and environmentally friendly
Data Source
AI summary
Pre-dosed wipes and packaged systems of such wipes including a nonwoven substrate formed from renewable natural plant-based fibers or derivatives of such fibers. The pre-dosed wipe as a whole meets applicable biodegradability/compostability standards (e.g., ASTM D6400, EN13432 or the like). The wipe may be a sanitizing or disinfecting wipe, including a quaternary ammonium compound as an antimicrobial agent in the composition with which the substrate is dosed. The composition may also include water and a surfactant. The wipe may be substantially void of thermoplastic fibers, such as PE, PP, PET, as well as so-called biodegradable polyesters and the like (e.g., PHA, PLA, PVOH). The nonwoven substrate may be formed by any of various techniques, an example of which is spunlace. The formulation may have a pH of at least 5 (e.g., 6 to 8), to maintain tensile strength of the natural plant-based substrate.