Water-Dispersible Biodegradable Packaging Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biodegradable packaging materials are limited to dry or non-moisture-sensitive materials, such as powders or tablets, and lack suitability for liquids and moisture-sensitive solids, posing environmental concerns due to incineration or landfill disposal.
Innovation Solution
Development of water-dispersible and biodegradable films comprising a first layer of water-dispersible paper and a second layer of biodegradable materials like poly(hydroxyalkanoate), which are suitable for packaging liquids and moisture-sensitive products, meeting various biodegradation standards and allowing for printing, while being dissolvable in water for environmentally responsible disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional biodegradable packaging materials are used, then they can be disposed of in landfills or incinerated, but they are limited to packaging only dry or non-moisture-sensitive materials and cause environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a water-dispersible paper layer (first layer) and a biodegradable polymer layer (second layer). The water-dispersible paper provides water solubility and dispersibility for liquid packaging, while the biodegradable polymer layer provides structural integrity and moisture barrier properties. This composite material enables the packaging to handle both liquids and moisture-sensitive solids, expanding versatility while maintaining biodegradability and reducing environmental harm through controlled decomposition in various environments.
2Ease of operation
If water-dispersible materials are used for liquid packaging, then they can be dissolved in water for easy disposal, but they lack the structural integrity to protect moisture-sensitive products
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging film is segmented into two functional layers: the first layer (water-dispersible paper) handles water solubility and dispersibility for easy disposal, while the second layer (biodegradable polymer) provides structural integrity and moisture barrier properties. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its specific function, enabling the overall structure to achieve both water dispersibility and moisture protection simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable polymer layer acts as an intermediary between the water-dispersible paper layer and the external environment. It provides the necessary structural support and moisture barrier while allowing the paper layer to maintain its water-dispersible characteristics. The polymer layer mediates the contradiction by protecting the product from moisture while the paper layer ensures water dispersibility for convenient disposal.
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 films enable packaging of liquids and moisture-sensitive products while ensuring biodegradability, facilitating biodeterioration and assimilation, and allowing for customized printing, thus addressing the environmental issues associated with conventional packaging materials.
Implementation Method 1
a first layer having from about 60 wt.% to about 100 wt.% of a water-dispersible material
Implementation Method 2
a second layer having from about 95 wt.% to about 100 wt.% of a biodegradable material
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to packaging film and packages constructed from water-dispersible and/or biodegradable material. The water-dispersible and biodegradable package consists of a first layer of a water-dispersible material constituting an interior of the package, and a second layer of a biodegradable material constituting the exterior of the package. The package may have printed indicium printed onto the exterior of the package.