Oxidized Nanocellulose Container for Humidity-Responsive Air Permeability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current food preservation methods, such as refrigeration, fail to maintain optimal humidity and air conditions, leading to moisture loss or spoilage in foods like fruits and vegetables, as preservative films often result in either excessive drying or rot due to inadequate air permeability.

Innovation Solution

A container made from interlaced oxidized nanocelluloses with different degrees of expansion in response to moisture, adjusting air permeability to prevent moisture loss while maintaining food freshness, comprising unmodified and modified oxidized nanocelluloses with varying carboxyl group contents and shapes, such as spherical, rod-shaped, or fibrous forms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If preservative films are used to prevent moisture loss, then food moisture is maintained, but humidity becomes too high causing food to rot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture lossVSAvoidrot due to high humidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses oxidized nanocellulose films with controlled porosity to allow selective moisture vapor transmission. The porous structure enables excess humidity to escape while preventing liquid water loss, resolving the contradiction between moisture retention and humidity control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of nanocellulose through oxidation treatment, changing its hydrophilicity and moisture absorption characteristics. This parameter change enables the film to dynamically adjust moisture permeability based on environmental conditions, preventing both drying and rotting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If refrigeration is used for food preservation, then temperature is controlled, but humidity and air conditions cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow temperatureVSAvoidhumidity and air control

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The oxidized nanocellulose container serves multiple functions simultaneously: temperature regulation through thermal insulation, humidity control via moisture vapor transmission, and air circulation through its porous structure. This multi-functionality addresses the limitation of refrigeration systems that only control temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If moisture is removed from food, then rot is prevented, but food dries up and becomes unfit to eat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverot preventionVSAvoidmoisture content

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The oxidized nanocellulose film exhibits dynamic moisture vapor transmission that responds to humidity gradients. When external humidity is low, moisture vapor escapes; when external humidity is high, the film reduces transmission to prevent excessive moisture loss. This feedback mechanism prevents both rot and drying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 container effectively maintains food moisture by adjusting air permeability based on humidity levels, preventing spoilage from both excessive moisture and dryness, while maintaining mechanical strength through controlled expansion of oxidized nanocelluloses.

Implementation Method 1

the at least two types of oxidized nanocelluloses being configured to have different degrees of expansion after absorbing moisture in a same environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the at least two types of oxidized nanocelluloses being configured to have different degrees of expansion after absorbing moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion:

Data Source

PatentUS11603629B2Container and preparation method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 BEIJING BOE TECH DEV CO LTD

AI summary

A container and a preparation method thereof are provided. A material forming the container includes at least two types of oxidized nanocelluloses interlaced with each other, the at least two types of oxidized nanocelluloses being configured to have different degrees of expansion after absorbing moisture in a same environment. In a dry condition, the at least two types of oxidized nanocelluloses do not expand, so the structure of the container is relatively dense and the air permeability is poor, which can sufficiently maintain moisture of an article stored in the container. In case the article itself or other reasons cause high humidity, different oxidized nanocelluloses of the container expand after absorbing moisture, so that gaps between different oxidized nanocelluloses becomes larger, and the air permeability of the container becomes better, which can discharge excessive moisture, enabling the container to self-adjust the air permeability based on humidity.