Temperature-Responsive Resin Laminate for Water Resistance and Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laminates for packing materials face challenges in recycling, with low recovery rates and quality of paper substrate and thermoplastic resin layers due to difficulty in separating these components, and conventional water-soluble resins lack sufficient water resistance.
Innovation Solution
A laminate structure comprising a paper substrate layer, a temperature-responsive water-soluble resin layer, and a water-insoluble layer, where the resin is poorly soluble at room temperature but easily soluble at elevated temperatures, allowing for effective separation and high-quality material recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional water-soluble resin layer is used between the paper substrate and water-insoluble layer, then the laminate can be separated by water contact, but the water resistance is poor and the packing stuff may be damaged in humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a temperature-responsive water-soluble resin that changes its solubility properties based on temperature. The resin is poorly soluble at room temperature (providing water resistance) but easily soluble at elevated temperatures (enabling separation). This resolves the contradiction by making the resin's properties dynamic rather than static, allowing it to provide both water resistance during use and separability during recycling under different temperature conditions.
2Ease of repair
If the laminate uses a water-soluble adhesive layer for separation, then material recovery is enabled, but the recovery rate and quality of raw materials are not high
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature-responsive water-soluble resin enables more effective material recovery by changing its solubility with temperature. At recycling temperatures, the resin dissolves more completely and uniformly, allowing for better separation of the paper substrate and water-insoluble layer compared to conventional water-soluble resins. This results in higher recovery rates and improved quality of recovered raw materials.
3Ease of operation
If conventional water-soluble resins are used, then layer separation is possible, but the resin swells and damages the packing stuff in high humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using a temperature-responsive water-soluble resin whose solubility is controlled by temperature rather than being constantly responsive to moisture. At room temperature and in humid environments, the resin remains poorly soluble and maintains dimensional stability, preventing swelling and damage. Only at elevated recycling temperatures does the resin become soluble, enabling separation without causing harm during normal use.
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 laminate provides excellent water resistance and enables high-quality recovery of paper substrate and water-insoluble layer materials, maintaining integrity in humid environments and facilitating efficient recycling.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature-responsive water-soluble resin layer which is poorly soluble in water at room temperature but is easily soluble in water which has been heated higher than room temperature
Implementation Method 2
conventional water-soluble resins have poor water resistance. Therefore, when packing stuff that includes a laminate including a water-soluble adhesive layer containing a conventional water-soluble resin is used in an environment of relatively high humidity, the packing stuff may possibly be damaged due to swelling
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a laminate comprising: a paper substrate layer; a temperature-responsive water-soluble resin layer; and a water-insoluble layer in this order. According to the present invention, a laminate that can realize packing stuff having excellent water resistance while a raw material, i.e., pulp, of a paper substrate layer and a raw material of a water-insoluble layer can be recovered at high quality and a high recovery rate can be provided.