Plant-based functional polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric and preparation method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabrics exhibit poor hygroscopicity, low moisture regain, and a rough, dry texture, limiting their applications due to their synthetic fiber composition and structure.

Innovation Solution

A plant-based functional polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric is developed, incorporating a plant herb water-soluble extract within a specific weight percentage range, combined with antioxidants and modifiers to enhance moisture absorption and mechanical properties, using a modified polypropylene resin and a spinning process that includes high-speed stirring and hot-rolling to achieve improved softness and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric is used, then mechanical strength and breathability are improved, but moisture regain and hygroscopicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidmoisture regain
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polypropylene fibers with plant-based functional additives (saponin, glycyrrhizin, flavonoids) to create a non-woven fabric that maintains the mechanical strength of PP while gaining moisture-absorbing and softening properties from the plant compounds. This resolves the contradiction by integrating two material systems with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polypropylene by incorporating plant extract compounds at specific concentrations (saponin 0.1-1.0%, glycyrrhizin 0.1-0.5%, flavonoids 0.1-0.5%). These parameter changes transform the hydrophobic PP material into a hydrophilic composite with improved moisture regain while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric is used, then structural stability is improved, but surface smoothness and softness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsurface smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies surface parameters by introducing plant-based compounds that alter the fiber surface chemistry. The saponin, glycyrrhizin, and flavonoids change the surface energy and morphology, transforming the rough synthetic fiber surface into a smooth, soft surface while maintaining the underlying structural stability of the spunbond fabric.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If plant herb water-soluble extract is added, then moisture regain and softness are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture regainVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-extracting and concentrating the plant compounds into a standardized water-soluble extract before incorporation into the spinning process. This pre-preparation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to using raw plant materials, as the extract can be directly added to the polypropylene melt during standard extrusion and spinning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 resulting fabric demonstrates enhanced moisture regain, mechanical strength, and softness, with a moisture regain of 0.2%-3%, longitudinal breaking strength of 18.5 N/5 cm, and transverse breaking strength of 9.5 N/5 cm, offering improved hygroscopicity and flexibility while maintaining fiber strength, suitable for medical and hygiene applications.

Implementation Method 1

the non-woven fabric product has poor hygroscopicity and low moisture regain... The resulting fabric demonstrates enhanced moisture regain, mechanical strength, and softness, with a moisture regain of 0.2%-3%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHygroscopicity: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

using a modified polypropylene resin and a spinning process that includes high-speed stirring and hot-rolling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

a spinning process that includes high-speed stirring and hot-rolling to achieve improved softness and strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal bonding: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11807964B2Plant-based functional polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric and preparation method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.11.07 BAICAO FUTURE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY (QINGDAO) CO LTD

AI summary

A plant-based functional polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric and a preparation method of the plant-based functional polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric are provided. The plant-based functional polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric contains a plant herb water-soluble extract in a weight percentage range of approximately 0.2%-1.5%. The plant-based functional polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric has moisture regain in a range of approximately 0.2%-3%, a longitudinal breaking strength of approximately ≥18.5 N/5 cm, a transverse breaking strength of approximately ≤9.5 N/5 cm, a thickness in a range of approximately 0.2 mm-0.5 mm, a weight per unit area in a range of approximately 20 g/m2-40 g/m2, and a fiber diameter in a range of approximately 10 μm-30 μm.