Starch Modeling Compound Shrinkage and Plasticity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Starch-based modeling compounds exhibit poor plasticity, substantial shrinking upon drying, and limited extrudability, making them unsuitable for use by children and artists due to their sticky texture and high viscosity, which restricts the range of shapes that can be created.

Innovation Solution

A starch-based modeling composition comprising a starch-based binder, water, a retrogradation inhibitor, microspheres, and additional components such as surfactants, lubricants, and preservatives, which improves plasticity, extrudability, and reduces viscosity, while maintaining adhesive properties to allow for a wide range of shape creation and reduced shrinkage upon drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If starch and water based dough is used for modeling, then it is easy to manufacture and non-toxic, but it exhibits poor plasticity, substantial shrinking upon drying, and limited extrudability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidplasticity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines starch-based binder with multiple additives including retrogradation inhibitors (crosslinked starch, modified starch), surfactants (block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide), lubricants (mineral oil, vegetable oil), and microspheres to create a composite modeling compound that maintains the non-toxic, easy manufacturing properties of starch while dramatically improving plasticity, extrudability, and dimensional stability through the synergistic effects of these components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If starch and water based dough is used for modeling, then it is easy to manufacture, but it exhibits substantial shrinking upon drying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddimensional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the starch-based system by introducing retrogradation inhibitors (crosslinked starch, modified starch) that prevent molecular reorganization during drying, and microspheres that act as spacers to maintain volume, thereby reducing shrinkage and improving dimensional stability while keeping the formulation easy to manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If starch and water based dough is used for modeling, then it is simple in composition, but it exhibits poor extrudability and high viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomposition complexityVSAvoidextrudability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces surfactants (block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide) and lubricants (mineral oil, vegetable oil) as intermediary substances that reduce intermolecular friction and lower viscosity, enabling smooth extrusion through extrusion tools while maintaining a relatively simple overall composition based on starch and water

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If starch and water based dough is used for modeling, then it has natural availability, but it exhibits sticky texture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural availabilityVSAvoidtexture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the sticky property from the starch-based system by adding retrogradation inhibitors (crosslinked starch, modified starch) that prevent excessive water-starch interactions, and lubricants that reduce surface adhesion, thereby eliminating the undesirable sticky texture while preserving the natural starch base

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 composition provides a soft, flexible, and extrudable modeling compound with low viscosity, reduced stickiness, and improved shape preservation, enabling easy manipulation and creation of various shapes and artwork without the need for additional adhesives, suitable for both children and artists.

Implementation Method 1

a retrogradation inhibitor can comprise amylopectin. For example, the retrogradation inhibitor can be selected from the group consisting of one of waxy corn starch, waxy rice starch, waxy potato starch or some combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRetrogradation:

Implementation Method 2

the surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of one of polyethylene glycol esters of oleic acid, polyethylene glycol esters of stearic acid, polyethylene glycol esters of palmitic acid, polyethylene glycol esters of lauric acid, ethoxylated alcohols, block copolymer of ethylene oxide, block copolymer of propylene oxide, block copolymer of ethylene and propylene oxides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

the lubricant can be selected from the group consisting of one of mineral oil, vegetable oil, vegetable fat, triglycerides or some combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS9803068B2Modeling compounds and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 HASBRO INC

AI summary

Modeling compounds and methods for making the same are described. The modeling compounds, in some embodiments, comprise about 20% to about 40% by weight starch-based binder, and about 0.15% to about 1.2% by weight microspheres dispersed throughout the compounds. In some embodiments, the modeling compound further comprises vinylpyrrolidone polymers.