Stratified Wiping Laminate for Uniform Liquid Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wet wipes suffer from an uneven distribution of liquid, leading to excessive initial liquid release, quick depletion, and unsatisfactory wiping performance, requiring frequent reloading or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A wiping material with a fibre gradient, featuring a higher ratio of absorbent fibres at the outer surfaces and a core rich in non-absorbent fibres, which slows down liquid transport through a network of smaller pores and capillaries, ensuring a uniform release of liquid over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a high initial load of liquid is used to provide adequate wiping for a long period, then the wiping duration is extended, but the wipe becomes excessively wet leading to excessive initial liquid release and unpleasant handling
Solution Approach 1:
The wipe is designed with a fibre gradient where the composition varies through the thickness: outer surfaces have higher absorbent fibre content to control liquid release, while the core has higher non-absorbent fibre content to provide bulk and liquid capacity. This local differentiation allows the wipe to hold sufficient liquid without excessive initial release.
Solution Approach 2:
The wipe combines absorbent fibres (cellulose, viscose, cotton) and non-absorbent fibres (polyester, polypropylene) in a gradient distribution. This composite structure leverages the liquid absorption capacity of natural fibres at the surfaces and the bulk-holding capacity of synthetic fibres in the core, achieving balanced liquid management.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a high initial load of liquid is used, then the wiping duration is extended, but the wipe structure becomes depleted of liquid quickly leading to decreasing wiping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The fibre gradient creates distinct functional zones: outer surfaces with absorbent fibres that provide controlled liquid release, and a core with non-absorbent fibres that serve as a sustained liquid reservoir. This ensures consistent wiping performance throughout the wipe's lifecycle.
3Ease of operation
If the wipe is made softer and more textile-like using hydroentangled nonwoven material, then the comfort and handling are improved, but the control over liquid distribution and release becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hydroentangled nonwoven structure is enhanced with a controlled fibre gradient that differentiates liquid management properties through the thickness. This allows the soft, textile-like comfort of hydroentangling to be maintained while achieving precise liquid distribution control through compositional variation.
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 provides a consistent wiping performance for a longer period, reducing liquid squeeze-out and maintaining a pleasant touch, while the absorbent fibres at the surface absorb and retain liquid, acting as a buffer to control liquid release.
Implementation Method 1
the absorbent fibres create a denser layer with smaller pores and capillaries at the outer surfaces of the wiping material. Such a layer forms a barrier to unrestricted liquid flow since the liquid is forced to penetrate the small pores in the layer before it can escape from the material.
Implementation Method 2
The core region preferably has a high bulk with large pores that can accommodate the liquid but that will readily release liquid when the wiping material is being used.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention concerns a sheet of wiping material (1) having a first outer surface (7) and a second outer surface (7) and a core region (3) between the surfaces, the wiping material (1) comprising absorbent fibres (4) and non- absorbent fibres (5,6). The wiping material (1) has a stratified structure with a fibre gradient and a higher ratio of absorbent fibres to non-absorbent fibres at the outer surfaces (7) of the wiping material (1) than in the core region (3). The invention also relates to a method for producing the wiping material.