Water-Soluble Fastening Assembly Using EVOH Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastening assemblies, such as fasteners and cable ties, made from conventional polymers like polyurethanes, polyethylenes, and polyamides, are difficult to remove during manufacturing processes without damaging the attached items, as they do not easily dissolve or weaken in water.
Innovation Solution
The use of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or EVOH-based polymers in fastening assemblies, which dissolve or weaken faster when exposed to water at elevated temperatures, allowing for controlled removal by dissolving in liquids above a threshold temperature, typically between +25°C to +100°C within specific time frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional polymers (polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polyamides) are used for fastening assemblies, then the fastening assemblies have sufficient mechanical strength and durability during use, but they are difficult to remove during manufacturing processes without damaging attached items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using EVOH polymer whose solubility characteristics change with temperature. The fastening assembly maintains mechanical strength at room temperature but dissolves when exposed to hot water above a threshold temperature, enabling easy removal during manufacturing without damaging attached items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) as a specialized polymer material that combines the necessary mechanical properties for fastening with temperature-dependent solubility. This material allows the fastening assembly to be strong during use but easily removable when exposed to hot water, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of removal.
2Ease of operation
If water-soluble material (EVOH) is used for fastening assemblies, then the fastening assemblies can be easily removed by dissolving in hot water, but the removal process requires temperature control and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temperature-dependent dissolution parameter of EVOH material. By controlling the water temperature above the threshold, the dissolution process is accelerated significantly, reducing the time penalty while maintaining ease of removal. The material is designed to dissolve completely within a reasonable time frame when proper temperature conditions are met.
3Productivity
If the fastening assembly dissolves quickly in hot water, then removal is efficient and labor costs are reduced, but the fastening assembly may dissolve if exposed to warm water during normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the threshold temperature characteristic of EVOH dissolution. The material remains stable and maintains fastening reliability at normal operating temperatures below the threshold, but dissolves rapidly when exposed to hot water above the threshold during manufacturing removal processes. This creates a clear operational window that ensures both reliability during use and efficiency during removal.
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
Enables easy and efficient removal of fastening assemblies during manufacturing or washing processes without manual labor, reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing damage to attached items by dissolving or weakening in response to temperature-controlled water exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the item is configured to dissolve or weaken at a faster rate when the item is exposed to a liquid that includes water having a temperature at or above a threshold temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening assembly that has an item made of, or that includes, a water-soluble material; and related methods for manufacturing, or dissolving or weakening, the fastening assembly, which has at least one water-soluble portion that includes the water-soluble material.