Injection moldable compositions and articles comprising same
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for cost-effective, flowable compositions based on degradable and/or compostable constituents suitable for injection molding, particularly for biodegradable articles like plant pots that can withstand greenhouse conditions and degrade quickly upon burial, while avoiding the limitations of existing manufacturing methods like hot press molding.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a waste particulate material and a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, with a weight portion of the polymer between 10 and 50%, and a gliding agent, is formulated to be flowable at temperatures between 100 and 250°C, enabling injection molding and providing stability under greenhouse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hot press molding is used to manufacture biodegradable pots, then the pots can be made from biodegradable materials, but the manufacturing cost increases and mass production becomes incompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters by formulating a composition with specific polymer content (10-50% biodegradable polymer by weight) and moisture content (less than 0.5%) that enables injection molding processing, transitioning from hot press molding to a more scalable injection molding process while maintaining biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material composition combining biodegradable polymer with waste particulate material (such as paper, peat, or other organic waste) to achieve both biodegradability and injection moldability, resolving the contradiction between material properties and manufacturing method
2Reliability
If a thermoplastic polymer layer is applied to the interior surface of biodegradable pots, then degradation resistance is improved, but moisture exposure during storage still causes degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the moisture content parameter of the composition to less than 0.5%, which prevents premature degradation during storage while maintaining the biodegradable properties for later decomposition in soil, resolving the stability contradiction
3Duration of action of stationary object
If biodegradable pots are made from paper, peat, and organic waste, then degradation speed is improved, but structural integrity under greenhouse conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite material containing biodegradable polymer (10-50% by weight) combined with waste particulate material, creating a synergistic structure that provides both structural integrity for greenhouse conditions and controlled degradation capability when buried in soil
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters including polymer content (10-50%), moisture content (less than 0.5%), and particle size distribution to achieve the balance between structural strength during use and degradation rate in soil
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 composition allows for the production of biodegradable articles that maintain structural integrity under greenhouse conditions and degrade within a predetermined time frame when buried, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics.
Implementation Method 1
the composition is flowable at a temperature between 100 and 250°C
Implementation Method 2
degrade within a predetermined time frame when buried
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, there is provided a composition comprising a waste particulate material and a biodegradable polymer; wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises a thermoplastic polymer; a weight portion of said biodegradable polymer within said composition is between 10 and 50%; and wherein said composition is flowable at a temperature between 100 and 220° C.. Furthermore, shaped articles derived from the composition and method of manufacturing thereof are also provided.