Hydroentangled Moist Wipe With Triggerable Binder for Flushability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flushable moist wipes often require a long time to break down in sanitation systems, leading to potential blockages and compatibility issues with household and municipal plumbing, while attempts to enhance dispersibility may compromise in-use strength.
Innovation Solution
A dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a low amount of ion-triggerable binder composition, providing high initial wet strength and rapid loss in wet strength under static soak, allowing for effective dispersion without the need for extensive agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a high amount of binder is used to increase in-use strength, then the wipe strength is improved, but the dispersibility in sanitation systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The binder composition undergoes a parameter change in response to water quality: in saltwater (toilet bowl), the binder remains stable and provides strength; in fresh water (sanitation system), the binder degrades and loses strength, enabling dispersibility. This is achieved through the specific chemical composition containing cationic polymer and oxidizable components that react differently to salt versus fresh water environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The binder properties are made dynamic rather than static: the binder transitions from a strong, stable state in the toilet bowl to a degraded, dispersible state in the sanitation system. This dynamic behavior is controlled by the triggerable mechanism that responds to environmental conditions (salt concentration, oxidation) to change the binder's functional properties.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the wipe is designed to disperse quickly in sanitation systems, then dispersibility is improved, but in-use strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The binder composition undergoes a parameter change in response to water quality: in saltwater (toilet bowl), the binder remains stable and provides strength; in fresh water (sanitation system), the binder degrades and loses strength, enabling dispersibility. This is achieved through the specific chemical composition containing cationic polymer and oxidizable components that react differently to salt versus fresh water environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The binder properties are made dynamic rather than static: the binder transitions from a strong, stable state in the toilet bowl to a degraded, dispersible state in the sanitation system. This dynamic behavior is controlled by the triggerable mechanism that responds to environmental conditions (salt concentration, oxidation) to change the binder's functional properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If triggerable binder composition is used to achieve both strength and dispersibility, then functional performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The binder composition undergoes a parameter change in response to water quality: in saltwater (toilet bowl), the binder remains stable and provides strength; in fresh water (sanitation system), the binder degrades and loses strength, enabling dispersibility. This is achieved through the specific chemical composition containing cationic polymer and oxidizable components that react differently to salt versus fresh water environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The binder properties are made dynamic rather than static: the binder transitions from a strong, stable state in the toilet bowl to a degraded, dispersible state in the sanitation system. This dynamic behavior is controlled by the triggerable mechanism that responds to environmental conditions (salt concentration, oxidation) to change the binder's functional properties.
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 combination of hydroentangled fibers and a small amount of ion-triggerable binder composition achieves high initial wet strength and rapid dispersibility, addressing the challenge of maintaining strength during use while ensuring timely breakdown in sanitation systems without increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
When the used moist wipes are exposed to the water of the toilet and/or sewer system, the binder swells thereby allowing and potentially even assisting in the wipes falling apart
Implementation Method 2
A dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a low amount of ion-triggerable binder composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a binder composition. The moist wipe demonstrates high initial wet strength while maintaining effective dispersion in an aqueous environment. The moist wipe has potential application as a flushable surface cleaning product and/or a flushable cleansing cloth.