Starch-Impregnated Paper Core for Flushable Toilet Rolls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cardboard mandrels used in toilet paper rolls are not easily disposable and can cause blockages in toilet drains due to their slow disintegration in water, leading to increased waste and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A mandrel formed by winding cellulose wadding strips impregnated with starch, providing improved rigidity and disintegration properties, allowing it to be directly disposable in a toilet bowl without blocking the drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a cardboard mandrel is used, then the mechanical strength and rigidity are sufficient to withstand manufacturing and distribution loads, but the disintegration in water is slow causing drain blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional cardboard to a composite of cellulose wadding impregnated with starch. This parameter change transforms the disintegration properties while maintaining mechanical strength through controlled starch impregnation rates (0.05-0.50 g starch per gram of cellulose), enabling the mandrel to disintegrate rapidly in water without sacrificing structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material system combining cellulose wadding with starch impregnation. The cellulose provides the base structure and absorbency, while the starch component enhances rigidity and controls disintegration behavior. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength requirements and rapid water disintegration for easy disposal.
2Strength
If the starch impregnation rate is increased to improve rigidity, then the mechanical strength increases, but the disintegration speed may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimized parameter range for starch impregnation rate (0.05-0.50 g starch per gram of cellulose wadding) that balances rigidity enhancement with disintegration speed. Within this range, sufficient starch is incorporated to provide the necessary mechanical strength for handling and distribution, while maintaining the cellulose's inherent water solubility and disintegration characteristics.
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 cellulose wadding mandrel maintains mechanical strength comparable to cardboard while disintegrating significantly faster, ensuring safe disposal without clogging drains and reducing waste volume.
Implementation Method 1
said strip being impregnated at least locally with starch so as to improve its rigidity
Implementation Method 2
the tissue paper material constituting these coupons disintegrates easily and quickly in the presence of water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a core intended to act as a support for a reel of paper, particularly of toilet paper, said core being formed by winding at least one strip of cellulose wadding, said strip being at least locally impregnated with starch so as to improve its rigidity. Configured in this way, the invention is capable of providing a core that has both the mechanical strength needed for the envisaged use and a friability that is vastly improved over a cardboard core so that it can be disposed of directly into a toilet bowl without the risk of blocking the waste pipe.