Hydrophobic Coated Starch Composite for Fiber Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Starch particles used as binders in fiber manufacturing tend to absorb moisture, leading to gelatinization and aggregation, which reduces powder fluidity and stability in supplying starch to fibers, resulting in variable binding strength between fibers.

Innovation Solution

A starch composite is created by incorporating second particles with a hydrophobic material that have an affinity for starch particles, covering their surfaces to inhibit aggregation, comprising starch particles and second particles or coat layers made of hydrophobic materials like hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and inorganic materials, which are dispersed between cotton-like fibers and incorporated into the fiber structure manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If starch particles are used as binder, then natural material is utilized, but starch particles absorb moisture and aggregate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse of natural materialVSAvoidstarch particle aggregation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophobic material acts as an intermediary substance that coats the starch particles, preventing direct contact between starch particles and moisture. This mediator layer maintains the natural material advantage while eliminating the moisture absorption problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where hydrophobic material particles are combined with starch particles. The hydrophobic particles form a protective coating on the starch particles, creating a composite material that retains the binding properties of starch while gaining moisture resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If starch particles aggregate, then powder fluidity is reduced, but supply stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder fluidityVSAvoidsupply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic material serves as a mediator that prevents aggregation, thereby maintaining powder fluidity. By coating individual starch particles, it ensures consistent flow characteristics and stable supply to the fibers during the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If starch particles are bound to aggregate, then binding strength between fibers varies, but uniformity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding strengthVSAvoiduniformity of binding
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic coating acts as a consistent intermediary layer that ensures uniform distribution and controlled release of starch particles. This leads to consistent binding strength across all fibers while maintaining the natural material advantage.

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 solution enhances powder fluidity, maintains stable starch supply, increases binding strength between fibers, and ensures uniformity of the fiber structure by preventing starch particle aggregation and improving electrostatic attraction, resulting in a high-quality fiber structure.

Implementation Method 1

second particles containing a hydrophobic material having an affinity for the starch particles, which are the first particles... the outer surfaces of the first particles are covered by the second particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface adhesion: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

second particles containing a hydrophobic material having an affinity for the starch particles... which coat the starch particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP4105275A1Starch composite for binding fibers, fiber structure, and fiber structure-manufacturing apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP4105275A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4105275A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4105275A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fiber structure-manufacturing method comprising: accumulating a mixture comprising fibers and starch particles coated with inorganic particles in air; humidifying and molding the mixture.