Recycled Pulp Packaging with Biopolymer Water Repellent Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recycling of paper material from domestic waste into the paper industry is hindered by contamination risks, limiting its recycling possibilities and energy-intensive incineration processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the separation, fiberization, cleaning, and moulding of paper fractions from domestic waste to produce biodegradable packaging units, using an organic tricarboxylic acid and glycerol impregnant to form a biopolymer water repellent layer, and utilizing energy from incineration plants for efficient manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If paper material from domestic waste is recycled into existing recycling flows in the paper industry, then recycling possibilities are increased, but contamination risks increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling volumeVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts paper material from domestic waste streams and processes it separately through dedicated sorting and cleaning equipment, removing it from conventional paper industry recycling flows. This extraction allows for specialized treatment that addresses contamination issues while maintaining recycling benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage between waste collection and final recycling utilization. This includes dedicated sorting screens, cleaning equipment, and quality control mechanisms that act as mediators to remove contaminants before the material enters standard recycling streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If incineration is used to treat remaining waste material, then waste disposal is achieved, but energy consumption increases and costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste disposalVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts what would be waste material requiring energy-intensive incineration into a valuable resource. By implementing comprehensive sorting and recycling processes, paper materials that would otherwise be incinerated are instead recovered and reused, transforming a harmful disposal process into a beneficial recycling cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a recovering system that captures and reuses paper materials from domestic waste before they reach incineration facilities. Through multi-stage sorting and cleaning, valuable materials are recovered and diverted from the incineration stream, reducing both waste disposal needs and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If paper fraction from domestic waste is separated and processed, then recyclable material increases, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecyclable material outputVSAvoidprocessing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the waste processing system into distinct functional modules: initial sorting, pulping, screening, cleaning, and quality control. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized or maintained, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high recycling output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary sorting and separation actions early in the processing chain, before materials become mixed or difficult to separate. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent processing steps and reduces the complexity of later stages by pre-concentrating target materials.

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

This method enables the production of biodegradable and compostable packaging units that reduce contamination risks, increase recyclable material, and lower energy consumption, promoting a sustainable life cycle while maintaining product integrity and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the moulded pulp material comprises pulp material originating from a paper fraction that is separated from domestic waste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiopolymer formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the paper fraction is fiberized/defibrated to break the material into fibers. In a presently preferred embodiment this production of pulp material is performed in a pulper, tank or reactor with a temperature in the range of 15-80°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiberization: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

drying the material in the desired shape after the product is released from the mould or involving an in-mould drying process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3610068B1Method for manufacturing a packaging or holding unit from a recycled paper fraction, and such unit

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 HUHTAMAKI MOLDED FIBER TECH

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a packaging or holding unit from a recycled paper fraction of domestic waste and such product. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of: - collecting domestic waste; - separating the paper fraction from the collected domestic waste; - dissolving and fiberizing the paper fraction, and producing a pulp material; - cleaning and sorting the pulp material; and - moulding the packaging or holding unit from the pulp material.