Dispersible hydroentangled basesheet with triggerable binder
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flushable moist wipes often require a long time to break down in sanitation systems, leading to potential blockages and compatibility issues with household and municipal plumbing, while attempts to enhance dispersibility may compromise in-use strength.
Innovation Solution
A dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a small amount of an ion-triggerable binder composition, providing high initial wet strength and rapid loss in wet strength under static soak, allowing for effective dispersion without the need for expensive binders or bi-component fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If known flushable moist wipes use additional structure (such as nets) or thermoplastically bonded bi-component fibers to improve in-use strength, then the in-use strength increases, but the dispersibility in sanitation systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using ion-triggerable polymers that change their binding properties in response to ionic environment changes. The polymer maintains strong binding in low-ionic-strength environments (providing in-use strength) but releases binding in high-ionic-strength environments (enabling dispersibility). This resolves the contradiction by making the binding strength dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the binder dynamic through ion-triggerable polymers whose binding characteristics change based on ionic conditions. The polymer transitions from a bound state (providing strength during use) to an unbound state (allowing dispersal in sanitation systems) in response to ionic strength changes, enabling both high in-use strength and effective dispersibility.
2Productivity
If expensive ion-triggerable binder composition is used to achieve rapid dispersibility, then dispersibility improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to enable cost-effective dispersibility through ion-triggerable polymers that respond to ionic environment changes. This approach provides rapid dispersibility in sanitation systems without requiring expensive alternative materials, as the same polymer provides both strength during use and dispersibility after use based on ionic conditions.
3Strength
If thermoplastically bonded bi-component fibers are used to increase in-use strength, then strength improves, but the ability to disperse in sanitization systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermoplastic bonding with ion-triggerable polymer bonding, which allows the binder to change its binding characteristics based on ionic environment. This enables the wipe to maintain strength during use (in low-ionic environments) but disperse effectively in sanitation systems (in high-ionic environments), resolving the contradiction between strength and dispersibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes mechanical/thermal bonding (thermoplastic bonding) with chemical bonding based on ionic interactions. The ion-triggerable polymer provides reversible binding that responds to ionic strength changes, replacing the permanent mechanical bonds of thermoplastic bonding with dynamic chemical bonds that can be triggered to release.
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 combination of hydroentangled fibers and a low-addition ion-triggerable binder achieves high initial strength and rapid dispersibility, ensuring the wipes are strong enough for use yet break down quickly in sanitation systems without causing blockages, while being cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
The binder attaches to the cellulose fibers of the wipes in a formulation containing a salt solution
Implementation Method 2
When the used moist wipes are exposed to the water of the toilet and/or sewer system, the binder swells thereby allowing and potentially even assisting in the wipes falling apart
Implementation Method 3
Some known flushable moist wipes are formed by entangling fibers in a nonwoven web
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a binder composition. The moist wipe demonstrates high initial wet strength while maintaining effective dispersion in an aqueous environment. The moist wipe has potential application as a flushable surface cleaning product and/or a flushable cleansing cloth.