WO2003055768A1

WO2003055768A1 - Method for manufacturing biodegradable vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2003055768A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/000362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang-Il Lee; Ki-Chul Song; Kyung-Kug Min; Hong-Duck Ryu; Young-Ok Cho; Ji-Yeoun Han; Do-Jong Ju; Keum-Yong Kim
Original assignee: Sang-Il Lee; Ki-Chul Song; Kyung-Kug Min; Hong-Duck Ryu; Young-Ok Cho; Ji-Yeoun Han; Do-Jong Ju; Keum-Yong Kim
Priority date: 2001-12-27
Filing date: 2002-03-04
Publication date: 2003-07-10
Also published as: JP2005512915A; KR100413370B1; AU2002235034A1; KR20030055677A

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a biodegradable vessel. A herbal material selected from the group consisting of pine needles, Artemisia absinthium, rutin-containing leaves, Ranunculus Asiaticus, Diospyros khaki, leaves of Gingko biloba LINNE, bamboo leaves, Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, Selaginellae Herba, Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, Viscum coloratum (Komar) Nakai, leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb., leaves of Thuja occidentalis, and mixtures thereof is washed, dried and pulverized to powder. The herbal material is admixed in a weight ratio of 70∩99.5 % : 0.5∩30 % with sepiolite, vermiculite, pearlite, or mixtures thereof. The resulting mixture is further mixed in a weight ratio of 80∩95 % : 5∩20 % with a binder, followed by stirring to homogeneity. The homogenous mixture is molded at 70∩120 °C to a desired form. The vessel is naturally readily degraded and beneficial to the health of users because the materials are obtained from nature and have medicinal effects.

Description

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BIODEGRADABLE VESSEL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to a method for manufacturing biodegradable vessels and, more particularly, to a method for manufacturing biodegradable vessels which are beneficial to the health of users.

BACKGROUND ART

Meeting the demand for life's convenience, disposable vessels have recently been produced in large quantities. Nowadays disposable vessels are widely used not only in mobile life, but also at home. However, disposable vessels create serious environmental problems which must be solved.

Most disposable vessels in current use are made of synthetic resins. Once being produced, the disposable vessels are degraded in soil only after hundreds of years. Thus, disposable vessels made of synthetic resins, which are in tremendous demand all over the world, adversely affect the environment. When disposable vessels made of synthetic resins are incinerated for disposal, a large quantity of smoke or harmful gases are generated, adding a serious burden to the ever-worsening air pollution.

In many countries, governments adopt policies to reduce the use of synthetic, disposable vessels, and various movements and education campaigns are carried out under the leadership of governments or non-governmental organizations to alleviate the environmental problems. Nonetheless, the production quantity of synthetic, disposable vessels which require hundreds of years for their degradation has not been reduced.

Therefore, there remains a need for disposable vessels which can be naturally degraded within a short period of time.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems encountered in prior arts and to provide a disposable vessel made of such natural materials that it can be degraded naturally and which is friendly to the environment and degraded naturally. It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable vessel which is prepared from natural material at low production cost.

Based on the present invention, the above objects could be accomplished by a provision of a method for manufacturing a biodegradable vessel, comprising the steps of: drying a herbal material selected from the group consisting of pine needles,

Artemisia absinthium, rutin-containing leaves, Ranunculus Asiaticus, Diospyros khaki, leaves of Gingko biloba LINNE, bamboo leaves, Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, Selaginellae Herba, Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, Viscum coloratum (Komar) Nakai, leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb., leaves of Thuja occidentalis, and mixtures thereof; pulverizing the herbal material to powder; admixing the herbal powder in a weight ratio of 70~99.5 % : 0.5~30 % with a mineral material selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, vermiculite, pearlite, and mixtures thereof; adding a binding material in a weight ratio of 5~20 % : 80-95 % to the admixture; stirring the mixture to homogeneity; and molding the homogenous mixture at 70-120 °C to a desired form.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the present invention, a disposable vessel is made of natural materials, including pine needles, Artemisia absinthium, rutin-containing leaves, Ranunculus Asiaticus, Diospyros khaki, gingko leaves, bamboo leaves, Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, Selaginellae Herba, Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, Viscum coloratum

(Komar) Nakai, Eucommia leaves, leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb., and leaves of Thuja occidentalis. These naturally occurring materials are pharmacologically advantageous so that the disposable vessel is beneficial even to the health of the body, in addition to being biodegradable. In herbal medicine, pine needles are used, along with outer layers of onion, to make a decoction which protects the five visceral organs from damage due to high blood pressure. Also, herbal medicine prescribes pine needles for raising hair and preventing infectious diseases. Pine needles contain terpene, which is a nervous sedative, and emanate allochemicals which protect against the attack of viruses. In addition, pine needles are now found to contain materials useful in dispelling stress and activating the body.

Useful in herbal medicine, Artemisia absinthium is used in a hemostatic agent and for the treatment of menstrual colic, menstrual irregularity, and leukorrhea. Also, this herb is found to inhibit the growth of bacteria, as well as being effective for the treatment of coughing and the removal of phlegm. Additionally, herbal medicine prescribes a decoction of Artemisia absinthium for eczema and dermal pruritus.

Represented by C₂ H₃oOι₆, rutin is a glycoside in which rutinose, a disaccharide consisting of glucose and rhamnose, is linked to the 3 -carbon of quercetin. Rich in rutin are leaves of Ranunculus Asaticus, leaves of Thuja occidentalis, and onion. Since its isolation from plants belonging to the genus Ruta of the family Rutaceae, rutin has been found in many plants such as budding flowers of Sophora japonica, Fagopyrum esculentum, etc. Rutin is precipitated as a pale yellowish needle crystal with a melting point of 21 1 ~215 °C. Rutin shows high solubility in pyridine, formamide and alkaline solutions, but is poorly soluble in alcohol, acetone, ethyl acetate and water and hardly dissolved in ether, chloroform, benzene, and petroleum ether. With the effect of strengthening capillary vessels, the glycosidic compound is medicinally used to prevent cerebral hemorrhage, radiation-related circulation damages, hemorrhagic diseases, etc.

In herbal medicine, leaves containing rutin are prescribed to make blood vessels strong and help the circulation system. In addition, leaves of Ranunculus Asiaticus are powdered, together with sesame, for use in lowering blood glucose levels.

Rich in vitamin C, leaves of Diopyros khaki, commonly called persimmon, are utilized as tea. Particularly, when the throat is tingled, gargling with persimmon leaf tea effectively relieves the symptom. The persimmon leaf tea is also used for the treatment of hypertension. Additionally, persimmon leaves show anti-viral activity, improve human's physical constitution, and strengthen the stomach.

Leaves of Gingko biloba LINNE, commonly just called gingko, are used to treat peripheral vessel troubles and senile dementia. In recent times, components effective for the treatment of cardiac diseases have been isolated from gingko leaves. Bamboo leaves are described to be highly effective for the treatment of febrile diseases, relief of thirst, and the calming of the nervous system. With rich proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ashes, and vitamin C, bamboo leaves are also effective for the treatment and prophylaxis of adult diseases, including rectal cancer, diabetes mellitus, and heart diseases. Another subject to which bamboo leaves can be applied are patients who cannot keep their limbs still owing to a stifling sensation in the chest. Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, commonly called holly olive, is useful in treating various bone diseases, including bone fracture, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago, etc. All parts of this tree, that is, ripe red fruits, leaves, stems, and roots are used as medicinal materials in herbal medicine. According to an ancient medical book of herbal medicine, the fruits are described to contain components stimulating the heart, making the spirit clear, and positively affecting the internal dysfunction, so-called Yin factor, so that they are used as an invigorant or an antifebrile. In Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, caffeine, saponin, tannin, bitter-tasting materials are found. The fruits, which taste sweet, are classified as a plain temper material and exert their medicinal effects on the liver, the kidneys and the lung according to herbal medicine. For use as a medicine, the ripe red fruits are given a long soak in Soju with an alcohol content of 35 % or higher, a traditional Korean liquor. After 6 months, the liquor extract may be orally administered three times a day to effectively treat aches in muscles and joints and remove a feeling of lethargy. Its stems, roots and leaves are also used as medicinal materials. In this regard, they are sliced, and slowly decocted in water for 24 hours. For example, 9,000 cc of water is used to treat 1,200 g of the slices.

The decoction is prescribed for patients suffering from osteoporosis, joint ache, sensitive extremities, delicate kidney-caused lumbago, and rheumatoid arthritis. The habitual use of the decoction brings about the effect of strengthening the bones and improving stamina. Other medicinal effects of the decoction are explained by the kidneys and liver which become robust and the spirits which become energetic. Also, with the effect of dispelling the malicious vigor of wind and moisture from the body, the decoction is used to control headache, tinnitus, hypertension, and blood-shot eyes. Tea made of holly olive leaves is useful in stopping coughing and removing phlegm. The tea is usually made by soaking 15-30 g of the leaves dried in shady spots in hot water for 10-30 min. Also, holly olive tea, if taken habitually, aids to energize spirits and make the lungs and the liver robust, in addition to dispelling the malicious vigor of wind and moisture and stopping coughing. When being used in combination with Lonicera japonica THUNB. and Caragana Chamlagu Lamarck, rather than alone, holly olive exhibits greater medicinal effects.

Selaginellae Herba is the herbal drug name of Selaginella tamariscina. Selaginella tamariscina, a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant belonging to the family

Selaginellaceae, grows to a height of 5-20 cm. Its rootstock is very hard and has many hairy roots, growing upright. The main stem is divided to many branches at the end of which wide, thin and small, needle-like leaves grow in clusters. The leaves are green on their front with backs of light green. The herb takes a laterally spread form, but is curled like a fist in a dry state. Generally, the herb grows in damp areas on rocks, forming an inverted umbrella figure. Selaginellae Herba in commercial use is dry and yellowish brown with abundant hairy roots. It is usually gathered in the autumn to the spring, but preferred is the herb gathered in the spring. For use in medicines, Selaginellae Herba is cleansed of impurities, or is sliced as it is. Alternatively, it may be made into coal. With the effect of invigorating blood circulation, natural

Selaginellae Herba is prescribed for the treatment of menopausal aftermaths, bruise, bellyache, and asthma. On the other hand, when being parched, the herb has a hemostatic effect, finding applications in the treatment of bloody excrement, haematuria, and hemorrhoids. Other diseases on which Selaginellae Herba exerts medicinal effects are exemplified by bronchitis, women's diseases, menstrual colic, and hepatitis.

For medicinal use, Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, and Viscum coloratum (Komar) Nakai are usually soaked in alcohol. The decoction is beneficial to the health of fetuses, and particularly effective for relieving neuralgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, commonly just called eucommia, exhibits a cordial effect such that they help the kidneys and the liver operate well.

Additionally, eucommia leaves are used to relieve ache in the waist and legs and improve generative function. Portents of paralysis, a feeling of lethargy in the limbs, and palsy are included in the list of the diseases for which the leaves are medicinally applied. Having an analgesic effect, leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb. are prescribed for the treatment of neuralgia, lumbago and arthragia. With a hemostatic effect, leaves of Thuja occidentalis are applied to hemorrhagic disorders, such as hemoptysis, nasal hemorrhage, bloody excrement, and haematuria. Also, the leaves enhance the Yin. For administration, the leaves are powered or decocted. At least one of the above-illustrated herbal materials is washed with water and dried naturally or with the use of a dryer.

Subsequently, the dried material is pulverized into powder by a suitable machine.

To the herbal powder material is added a mineral material selected from among sepiolite, vermiculite, pearlite and mixtures thereof, in order to improve the moldability of the herbal material and mechanical properties of the vessel finally obtained. Preferably, the herbal powder material is mixed at a weight ratio of 70-99.5 %: 0.5-30 % with the mineral material. For example, less than 70 % of the herbal powder material is insufficient for the vessel to exhibit the characteristic properties of the herbal material. On the other hand, when the mixture contains more than 99.5 % of the herbal powder, it lacks moldability. Meanwhile, when the mineral material is used in an amount less than 0.5 %, the vessel is poor in terms of ability to absorb heavy metal. On the other hand, more than 30 % of the mineral material makes mixing difficult.

The mineral materials sepiolite, vermiculite and pealite tend to expand like popcorn at high temperatures by the evaporation of interstratified water. The expansion factor is as large as 20-40. Represented by the empirical formula

M_x(Mg0 Fe)₆(Si₈._xAl)O₂₀(OH)₄D yH₂O, vermiculite naturally occurs in siliceous igneous rocks. Pearlite with the same empirical formula is a fibrous mineral formed when granite penetrates into limestone. As seen in the empirical formula, both the minerals contain water molecules which are evaporated at high temperatures to form bubbles by which the minerals expand. Owing to the bubbles, the minerals strongly capture and absorb foreign materials. Additionally, the mineral materials emit far infrared radiation. So readily degraded are the minerals that the vessels are environmentally friendly. Furthermore, their fibrous forms contribute to the moldability.

The mixture of the herbal material and the mineral material is added at a weight ratio of 80-95 %: 5-20 % with a binding material and stirred to homogeneity, followed by forming it into a sheet. The binding material may be a naturally occurring material or a modified material. Examples of the naturally occurring binding material include natural rubber, starches, casein, albumin, proteinous bean materials, proteinous wheat materials, glue, gelatin, alginic acid, alginates, xanthan gum, Arabic gum, and tragaanth gum. The modified binding material useful in the present invention is exemplified by lignin and its derivatives, modified starches (carboxy methyl starch, dextrin, crosslinked starch), and modified celluloses (carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose). Millet jelly, dextrin, silicone resin, water glass, and pine resin constitute a binding material group useful in the present invention.

Besides, synthetic resins and rubbers may be used, but their use is excluded as much as possible.

When the binding material is used in an amount less than 5 %, the herbal and mineral materials are not conglomerated sufficiently. More than 20 % of the binding material shields the expression of the properties of the herbal and mineral materials.

By use of a molding device (mold), the sheet is molded to a desired shape at 70-120 °C. At a temperature lower than 70 °C, molding is not carried out sufficiently. On the other hand, a temperature of higher than 120 °C may cause degradation of the material. Having generally described this invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE 1

2 kg of pine needles, 1 kg of Artemisia absinthium, 2 kg of rutin-containing leaves (0.5 kg of Ranunculus Asiaticus, 0.5 kg of leaves of Thuja occidentalis, and 1 kg of outer layers of onion), 2 kg of leaves of Ranunculus Asiaticus, 1 kg of leaves of Diospyros khaki, 2 kg of leaves of Gingko biloba LINNE, 2 kg of bamboo leaves, 1 kg of Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, 2 kg of Selaginellae Herba, 1 kg of Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, 1 kg of Viscum coloratum (Komar) Nakai, 2 kg of leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, 2 kg of leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb., and 2 kg of leaves of Thuja occidentalis were washed, dried and pulverized to powder. The powder mixture was added with 3 kg of a mixture of sepiolite, vermiculite and pearlite and further with 1 kg of glue, followed by stirring the mixture to homogeneity. At 85

°C, the mixture was molded to vessels which were biodegradable.

EXAMPLE 2

2 kg of pine needles, 1 kg of Artemisia absinthium, 2 kg of leaves of Ranunculus Asiaticus, 1 kg of leaves of Diospyros khaki, 2 kg of leaves of Gingko biloba LINNE, 2 kg of bamboo leaves, 1 kg of Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, 2 kg of Selaginellae Herba, 1 kg of Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, 1 kg of Viscum coloratum (Komar) Nakai, 2 kg of leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, 2 kg of leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb., and 2 kg of leaves of Thuja occidentalis were washed, dried and pulverized to powder. The powder mixture was added with 3.5 kg of a mixture of sepiolite, vermiculite and pearlite and further with 0.8 kg of algae, followed by stirring the mixture to homogeneity. At 80 °C, the mixture was molded to vessels which were biodegradable.

EXAMPLE 3

2 kg of pine needles, 1 kg of Artemisia absinthium, 2 kg of leaves of Ranunculus Asiaticus, 1 kg of leaves of Diospyros khaki, 2 kg of leaves of Gingko biloba LINNE, 2 kg of bamboo leaves, 1 kg of Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, 1 kg of Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, 1 kg of Viscum coloratum (Komar) Nakai, 2 kg of leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, 2 kg of leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb., and 2 kg of leaves of Thuja occidentalis were washed, dried and pulverized to powder. The powder mixture was added with 2.5 kg of a mixture of sepiolite, vermiculite and pearlite and further with 1 kg of cellulose, followed by stirring the mixture to homogeneity. At 90 °C, the mixture was molded to vessels which were biodegradable. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disposable vessels of the present invention, as described hereinbefore, are manufactured from materials which can be easily gathered from the nature. Thus, not only is the production cost of the vessels low, but also the vessels are naturally degraded within a short period of time. In addition, the natural materials have medicinally useful effects, so that the vessels are beneficial to the health of users.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a biodegradable vessel, comprising the steps of: drying a herbal material selected from the group consisting of pine needles, Artemisia absinthium, rutin-containing leaves, Ranunculus Asiaticus,

Diospyros khaki, leaves of Gingko biloba LINNE, bamboo leaves, Osmanthus heterophylla P. S. Green, Selaginellae Herba, Viscum album var. coloratum Ohwi, Viscum coloratum (Komar) Nakai, leaves of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER, leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunb., leaves of Thuja occidentalis, and mixtures thereof; pulverizing the herbal material to powder; admixing the herbal powder in a weight ratio of 70-99.5 % : 0.5-30 % with a mineral material selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, vermiculite, pearlite, and mixtures thereof, adding a binding material in a weight ratio of 5-20 % : 80-95 % to the admixture; stirring the mixture to homogeneity; and molding the homogenous mixture at 70-120 °C to a desired form.