Multistrata Nonwoven Wipe Material Flushability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable wipes often fail to disintegrate in wastewater systems, causing blockages and stress on plumbing and treatment systems, while attempts to create flushable and dispersible wipes have faced issues with maintaining strength and stability in aqueous environments.
Innovation Solution
A multistrata nonwoven wipe material with varying densities and binders is developed, featuring a combination of cellulosic and synthetic fibers, which maintains high wet strength and dispersibility, ensuring effective breakdown in wastewater systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the size of the wipe product is limited to pass through plumbing, then flushability is improved, but the product lacks sufficient strength for its intended cleaning purpose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the basis weight (20-150 gsm), fiber composition ratios, and binder content to create a wipe that achieves both adequate strength for cleaning and sufficient dispersibility for flushability. The specific parameter ranges optimize the balance between mechanical strength and breakdown characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining cellulosic fibers with synthetic fibers and binders in specific ratios. This composite structure provides the necessary strength for cleaning applications while maintaining the dispersibility required for flushability, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of flushing.
2Ease of operation
If water-soluble binders are used to create dispersible wipes, then flushability is improved, but the wipes lose strength in aqueous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the binder content (0.1-10% of dry wipe weight) and selecting binders with specific solubility characteristics. This allows the wipe to maintain strength during use while dispersing appropriately in the wastewater system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different fiber compositions and binder distributions in different regions of the wipe structure. This enables different parts of the wipe to have optimized properties for either strength or dispersibility depending on their functional role.
3Strength
If non-dispersible wipes are used to provide sufficient strength, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but blockages occur in wastewater systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the basis weight, fiber composition, and binder content to create a wipe that maintains sufficient strength for cleaning but has controlled dispersibility parameters to prevent blockage formation in wastewater conveyance systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining cellulosic and synthetic fibers with specific binders to achieve a balance between maintaining in-use strength and ensuring proper dispersal in wastewater systems, preventing blockages while effective for cleaning.
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 material achieves sufficient dry and wet strength for use while easily dispersing after flushing, passing through wastewater systems, and meets criteria for flushability and biodisintegration, addressing the limitations of previous solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a binder which binds the fibers together
Implementation Method 2
saturating the nonwoven web with an aqueous-based lotion
Implementation Method 3
the binder is water soluble or redispersible... the nonwoven web to separate into individual fibers or small bundles
Data Source
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AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a bio-disintegrable. dispersible, nonwoven multistrata wipe material that is stable in a wetting liquid and flushable in use. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to layered structures including, but not limited to, one, two, three, or four layers to form the dispersible nonwoven wipe material. The layers contain cellulosic fibers and a binder or additive.