Water-Soluble Gum Films With Polymer-Assisted Low-Viscosity Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for forming films with water-soluble gums like guar gum, xanthan gum, or locust bean gum on substrates are costly, require specialized equipment, and are difficult to scale up due to high viscosity and water removal requirements, making it challenging to achieve consistent coating weights.

Innovation Solution

A film comprising a mixture of water-soluble gum particles and a water-soluble polymer, such as PVP or PEO, is solvent-coated onto a substrate, allowing for lower viscosity dispersions that can be easily applied, reducing equipment needs and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water-soluble gums are used to form films on substrates, then the films achieve optimal swelling properties for microbial culture, but the high viscosity and water removal requirements make the process costly and difficult to scale

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswelling propertiesVSAvoidcoating process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A water-soluble polymer is introduced as an intermediary substance mixed with the water-soluble gum particles. This polymer acts as a processing aid that reduces the viscosity of the gum mixture, enabling easier coating and drying without compromising the gum's swelling properties. The polymer serves as a mediator between the desirable swelling characteristics and the manufacturability of the film.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the gum mixture by adding a water-soluble polymer, which modifies the viscosity and flow characteristics of the coating composition. This parameter change allows the mixture to be applied as a coating while maintaining the gum's ability to swell optimally when exposed to moisture, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and swelling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional coating methods are used to apply water-soluble gums, then films can be formed, but specialized equipment is required and consistent coating weights are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating weight consistencyVSAvoidequipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble polymer serves as a mediator that improves the processability of the gum particles, allowing them to be applied using simpler, more conventional coating equipment. The polymer modifies the rheological properties of the mixture, enabling uniform coating application without requiring specialized equipment, thus achieving consistent coating weights with simpler devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If high concentrations of water-soluble gums are used to achieve optimal swelling, then the swelling properties improve, but the viscosity increases making coating and drying more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswelling propertiesVSAvoiddrying energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble polymer acts as an intermediary that reduces the viscosity of high-concentration gum mixtures, making them easier to coat and dry. By improving the flow characteristics of the mixture, less energy is required for the drying process, even when high concentrations of gum are used to achieve optimal swelling properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method enables the production of films with precise coating weights and optimal swelling properties, preventing gel-blocking and facilitating efficient hydration of the gum particles for microbial culture applications.

Implementation Method 1

A film comprising a mixture of water-soluble gum particles and a water-soluble polymer, such as PVP or PEO, is solvent-coated onto a substrate, allowing for lower viscosity dispersions that can be easily applied

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity reduction:

Implementation Method 2

The method enables the production of films with precise coating weights and optimal swelling properties, preventing gel-blocking and facilitating efficient hydration of the gum particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

A film comprising a mixture of water-soluble gum particles and a water-soluble polymer, such as PVP or PEO, is solvent-coated onto a substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250340709A1Gelling films, articles containing gelling films, and methods of making and using the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.06 NEOGEN FOOD SAFETY US HOLDCO CORP

AI summary

Films comprising a pluralities of particles of a water-soluble gum and a water-soluble polymer that contacts at least part of a surface of the water soluble gum particles, at surprisingly high coat weight. Articles comprising such films on substrates. Methods of making and using such films and articles. Dispersions useful for making such films and articles.