Functionalized Molded Cellulose for Low-Yield Substance Incorporation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for incorporating functional substances into cellulose fibers, such as Lyocell fibers, face challenges with low impregnation yields and chemical instability during the spinning process, leading to poor mechanical properties and difficulties in solvent recovery.

Innovation Solution

A method for introducing functional substances into a never-dried cellulose molding during its production, maintaining the chemical structure of the substances without chemical change, allowing for low impregnation yields and improved mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If functional substances are introduced into cellulose fibers during spinning, then fiber functionality is improved, but mechanical fiber properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber functionalityVSAvoidmechanical fiber properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The functional substance is introduced into the cellulose molding after shaping but before drying, while the cellulose is still in its plastic state. This preliminary action allows the functional substance to be incorporated without requiring high-temperature processing that would degrade the substance or harm mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the processing parameter from high-temperature spinning to low-temperature post-shaping treatment. By introducing the functional substance at lower temperatures after shaping, the chemical structure and mechanical properties of the fiber are preserved while still achieving functional incorporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If functional substances are introduced into cellulose fibers during spinning, then fiber functionality is improved, but solvent recovery becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber functionalityVSAvoidsolvent recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the functional substance introduction step from the spinning process itself and separates it into a post-shaping treatment. This allows the spinning process to remain clean for solvent recovery, while the functional substance is added separately in a controlled manner that does not interfere with solvent removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If functional substances are introduced into never-dried cellulose molding, then impregnation yield is improved, but chemical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpregnation yieldVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The functional substance is introduced while the cellulose molding is still in its plastic, never-dried state, before any chemical crosslinking or stabilization occurs. This preliminary introduction ensures high impregnation yield, and subsequent controlled drying or crosslinking then stabilizes the structure without degrading the functional substance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention cushions the functional substance from chemical degradation by introducing it after the most aggressive chemical processes (spinning and dissolution) are complete, but while the matrix is still receptive. The subsequent controlled processing steps are designed to stabilize rather than degrade the incorporated substance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Quantity of substance

If functional substances with low impregnation yield are introduced, then substance efficiency is improved, but incorporation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstance efficiencyVSAvoidincorporation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the cellulose matrix from dried/rigid to never-dried/plastic, which dramatically increases its ability to accept and retain functional substances. This parameter change enables high impregnation yields even for substances that would normally have low affinity for cellulose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method enables the permanent incorporation of functional substances with low impregnation yields, enhancing the mechanical and biological properties of cellulose fibers while simplifying solvent recovery and avoiding chemical instability issues.

Implementation Method 1

the introduction into a never-dried cellulose molding taking place during its production after shaping without chemical change

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

Substances to be introduced must either be soluble in the spinning mass or be uniformly and stably dispersible in sufficiently small particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2519665B1Functionalized molded cellulose body and method for producing the same
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 LENZING AG
  • EP2519665B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP2519665B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2519665B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a molded cellulose body which contains a functional substance having low impregnation efficiency, to the use thereof and to a method for introducing functional substances of low impregnation efficiency into a molded cellulose body during its production and after the molding step.