Dispersible Wet Wipe Binding Agent Strength Dispersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flushable wipes are either too weak to be pulled out of a package when wet or too strong to disperse properly in sewage systems, leading to potential blockages.
Innovation Solution
A dispersible wet wipe comprising a base sheet of short length fibers reinforced with a non-adhesive dispersible binding agent, such as microfibrillar cellulose or nanocellulose, and a wetting lotion that maintains strength for removal from a package while fully dispersing in excess water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cellulose pulp fibers are used to make flushable wipes, then the wipes are dispersible in sewage systems, but they are too weak to be pulled out from a package when wetted
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble binding agent serves as an intermediary substance that temporarily holds cellulose pulp fibers together to provide sufficient tensile strength for package removal, then dissolves in sewage water to enable complete dispersibility. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing strength when needed and disappearing when dispersibility is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding agent's solubility parameter is specifically selected to remain intact at low water concentrations (during package removal) but dissolve completely at high water concentrations (in sewage systems). This parameter change enables the wipe to transition from a strong state during use to a dispersible state during disposal.
2Strength
If cellulose pulp fibers are strongly bonded to provide sufficient strength, then the wipes can be pulled out from a package, but they are too strong to disperse properly in sewage systems
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble binding agent acts as a temporary intermediary that provides the necessary bonding strength for package removal, then dissolves in the sewage system to allow complete dispersibility. This resolves the contradiction by making the bonding strength conditional rather than permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding strength of the wipe is made dynamic rather than static - it maintains strength under low-water conditions (package removal) and loses strength under high-water conditions (sewage system). This dynamic property allows the wipe to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different stages of its lifecycle.
3Strength
If conventional binding agents are used to reinforce the base sheet, then the wipes have sufficient tensile strength, but they do not disperse completely in excess water
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble binding agent serves as a temporary intermediary that provides structural reinforcement during use but dissolves completely in the sewage system. This prevents blockages by ensuring no residual binding material remains to obstruct sewage flow after the wipe has served its purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding agent is designed as a short-living component that fulfills its reinforcing function temporarily during package removal and use, then disappears completely in the sewage system. This disposable nature of the binding agent eliminates the harmful blockage effect while maintaining necessary strength during the wipe's functional lifecycle.
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 provides wipes with sufficient tensile strength for everyday use and complete dispersibility in sewage systems, with a shelf life of over a year without mechanical strength loss, and full dispersion within one hour when flushed.
Implementation Method 1
The dispersible binding agent is configured to bind the fibers of the base sheet when the dispersible wipe includes liquid at an amount of at most 400 wt% from the weight of the base sheet
Implementation Method 2
to disperse in excess water if the amount of the water exceeds 500 wt%
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Disclosed is a wet wipe, for example, a dispersible wet wipe. The wet wipe may include a base sheet comprising short length fibers; a dispersible binding agent reinforcing the base sheet; and a wetting lotion. The dispersible binding agent may be configured to bind the fibers of the base sheet when the dispersible wiper includes liquid at an amount of at most 400 wt% from the weight of the base sheet and to disperse in excess water if the amount of the water exceeds 500 wt%.