Moist Wipe Dispersibility via Water-Soluble Polymer Binders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flushable wipes face challenges in achieving a balance between sufficient strength for use and rapid dispersibility after use, leading to potential clogging issues in sanitation systems.
Innovation Solution
A moist wipe composition comprising a non-hydroentangled homogeneous fibrous material and a specific liquid component with a balanced mixture of water, organic solvent, and multivalent salt, which enhances dispersibility while maintaining strength and providing additional benefits like improved skin feel and odor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing flushable wipes use hydroentangled non-woven components and salt trigger binders, then the wipes maintain sufficient strength for use, but they require long periods of time and agitation to disperse in water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the binder system by replacing salt trigger binders with water-soluble polymers and changing the fibrous material composition to include water-soluble fibers. This parameter change enables the wipe to disperse rapidly in water without requiring agitation or thermal energy, while still maintaining sufficient strength during use through the water-soluble binder system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining water-soluble polymers with water-soluble fibers in a specific composition ratio. This composite structure allows the wipe to exhibit both strength during use (when the binder holds fibers together) and rapid dispersibility (when the binder dissolves in water), resolving the contradiction between durability and dispersibility.
2Loss of time
If existing flushable wipes are designed to disperse quickly in water, then they avoid clogging issues, but they lack sufficient strength for their intended use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the binder parameters by using water-soluble polymers with controlled molecular weight and composition, allowing the binder to maintain strong adhesive properties during use but dissolve rapidly upon contact with water. This parameter optimization enables quick dispersibility without sacrificing in-use strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different components: the water-soluble polymer binder provides localized strength at fiber junctions during use, while the water-soluble fibers provide structural integrity. Upon contact with water, the binder dissolves locally, triggering rapid dispersion. This local quality differentiation resolves the strength-dispersibility contradiction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing wipes use salt concentration to maintain strength, then the wipes remain stable in storage, but they require thermal energy and agitation to disperse in municipal waste water systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the stabilization mechanism from salt concentration to water-soluble polymer chemistry. The water-soluble polymers provide compositional stability during storage through controlled solubility and molecular structure, eliminating the need for high salt concentrations. Upon contact with water during flushing, the polymers dissolve without requiring thermal energy or agitation, resolving the contradiction between stability and energy-free dispersal.
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 results in wipes that disperse rapidly, reducing clogging risks and offering improved aesthetic and preservative qualities, while maintaining sufficient strength for use, thus addressing the conflicting requirements of strength and dispersibility.
Implementation Method 1
a homogeneous fibrous material (e.g., non-woven) component that is not hydroentangled and a liquid component... comprised of a homogeneous fibrous material (e.g., non-woven) component that is not hydroentangled and its dispersement does not rely on the disentanglement of fibers
Data Source
AI summary
Moist wipes having improved dispersibility are provided. The moist wipes are sufficiently strong during use and disperse sufficiently quickly under real world conditions to be flushable without creating potential problems for sanitation systems.