Cork Stopper Binder Using Polyhydroxyurethane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cork stoppers face limitations due to the restricted use of isocyanate-based polyurethane glues, which are toxic and pose chemical risks, and synthetic alternatives lack the mechanical and organoleptic properties of natural cork, while natural cork supply is limited.
Innovation Solution
A composition combining cork or cork-based materials with a binder comprising polyhydroxyurethanes formed from cyclocarbonate and amino-group compounds, eliminating isocyanates and using biosourced materials, which are safer and offer superior physical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If isocyanate-based polyurethane glues are used to ensure cohesion of cork stoppers, then mechanical strength and cohesion are improved, but toxicity and chemical risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful isocyanate component from the polyurethane binder formulation. Instead of using conventional isocyanate-based polyurethanes, the invention employs polyhydroxyurethanes synthesized from non-isocyanate pathways, specifically using polyols and isocyanurate compounds, thereby removing the toxic element while preserving the binder's cohesive function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the binder by switching from isocyanate-based polyurethanes to polyhydroxyurethanes with different molecular structures and synthesis pathways. This parameter change maintains the binder's mechanical properties while eliminating the harmful isocyanate functionality, achieving both cohesion and safety.
2Quantity of substance
If synthetic materials are used to replace natural cork, then supply limitations are overcome, but mechanical and organoleptic properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining cork particles with a specialized polyhydroxyurethane binder. This composite approach allows the use of sustainable cork aggregates while enhancing their mechanical properties through the binder, achieving both supply sustainability and improved performance compared to entirely synthetic alternatives.
3Strength
If natural cork is used for stoppers, then mechanical and organoleptic properties are maintained, but supply is limited to specific regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and utilizes cork aggregates from various sources, including waste cork materials and aggregates from different geographic regions, transforming them into high-performance stopper compositions. This recovering approach expands supply beyond traditional natural cork sources while maintaining quality through the specialized binder system.
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 composition provides stoppers with mechanical, organoleptic, and hydrophobic properties similar to or superior to natural cork, without the toxicity and environmental concerns of synthetic materials, ensuring effective cohesion and safety in wine bottle applications.
Implementation Method 1
a binder which comprises at least one particular polyhydroxyurethane... the binder preferably being partially or totally biobased
Implementation Method 2
This composition according to the invention can be applied to all of the corks with at least one agglomerated part... by molding process or by extrusion or by any thermal process allowing the ingredients of the composition to react under the temperature, pressure and time conditions suitable for the invention
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition that includes cork or a cork-based material and a binder which includes at least one polyhydroxyurethane prepared using raw materials that are not highly toxic, preferably from biomass. In particular, the polyhydroxyurethane binder is synthesised from at least one compound (A) comprising two or more cyclocarbonate groups and at least one compound (B) comprising two or more amino groups. The invention also relates to the method for preparing said composition.