Hydroentangled Moist Wipe With Triggerable Binder for Fast Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flushable moist wipes often require a long time to break down in sanitation systems, leading to potential blockages, and existing solutions compromise on in-use strength or cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a small amount of an ion-triggerable binder composition, providing high initial wet strength while ensuring rapid loss in wet strength under soak conditions, thus facilitating quick dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thermoplastically bonded bi-component fibers are used to increase in-use strength, then the in-use strength is improved, but the dispersibility in sanitization system is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bonding mechanism from thermoplastic bonding to hydrogen bonding, and uses a triggerable binder that responds to environmental conditions (salt concentration, moisture) to transform the wipe from a strong state to a dispersible state. This parameter change allows the wipe to maintain strength during use but disperse quickly in the sanitization system.
2Strength
If additional structure (net) is added to improve in-use strength, then the in-use strength is improved, but the dispersibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the net structure from the wipe design, relying solely on entangled fibers and a triggerable binder. This removal of the non-dispersible net component eliminates the blockage risk while maintaining in-use strength through the fiber entanglement and binder system.
3Strength
If high quantity of synthetic fibers is used to increase in-use strength, then the in-use strength is improved, but the dispersibility and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable triggerable binder that provides temporary strength during use but then dissolves or degrades in the sanitization system, allowing the wipe to disperse. This approach uses inexpensive, biodegradable materials rather than durable synthetic fibers, reducing both cost and blockage risk.
4Strength
If triggerable salt-sensitive binder is used to achieve high in-use strength, then the in-use strength is improved, but the cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the binder's response parameters to trigger at salt concentrations and moisture levels typical of the sanitization system, allowing use of a lower quantity of binder. The binder is formulated to provide sufficient strength at reduced concentrations while still responding reliably to environmental triggers.
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 in-use strength and rapid dispersion, addressing the challenges of blockages and cost-effectiveness.
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.