DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

METHOD OF OBTAINING BANANA PSEUDO STEM PULP

APPLICANT(S)

NAME: AVON PACFO SERVICES PVT LTD.
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: 18/1 Mathura Road Faridabad,
Haryana 121007 INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to pulp generation and particularly to a method of obtaining a banana pseudo stem pulp.
Description of Related Art
[002] Paper manufacturing industry, marks a revenue exceeding 200 billion dollars, reflecting a 400% surge in paper consumption over recent years. Traditionally, non-wood fibers have been pivotal in producing paper and paperboard, constituting a significant portion of the total pulp supply. Despite their voluminous contribution, non-wood fibers face challenges such as seasonal availability and the presence of substantial dirt, necessitating meticulous processing, and so forth.
[003] However, sugarcane bagasse has emerged as an alternative raw material for crafting paper products, disposable tableware, food packaging, and so forth. On the contrary, its adoption is hindered by its expensive nature and the environmentally unfriendly chemical treatments required during processing. Additionally, the limited availability of sugarcane bagasse poses a constraint on its widespread utilization. Despite its commendable resistance to extreme temperatures, the materialexperience a reduction in strength when used to hold food. Balancing the benefits and drawbacks of these materials remains a crucial consideration in the dynamic landscape of paper manufacturing.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced method that can obtain the pulp from banana pseudo stems in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method of obtaining a banana pseudo stem pulp. The method comprising steps of: cutting pseudo stemsinto small pieces; boiling the small pieces of the pseudo stemswith water;crushing the boiled pseudo stems to obtain crushed pseudo stems; obtaining an unbleached pulpby subjecting the crushed pseudo stemsin a digesterfor a set time and a set temperature, wherein a solid-to-liquid ratio of the obtained unbleached pulpis in a range from 1:4 to 1:6;obtaining a beaten unbleached pulpby performing a process of beating on the obtained unbleached pulpusing a beater.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method of obtaining a banana pseudo stem pulp. The method comprising steps of: cutting pseudo stemsinto small pieces; boiling the small pieces of the pseudo stemswith water;crushing the boiled pseudo stems to obtain crushed pseudo stems; obtaining an unbleached pulpby subjecting the crushed pseudo stemsin a digesterfor a set time and a set temperature, wherein a solid-to-liquid ratio of the obtained unbleached pulpis in a range from 1:4 to 1:6;obtaining a beaten unbleached pulpby performing a process of beating on the obtained unbleached pulpusing a beater;washing and performing a bleaching process recursively on the beaten unbleached pulpby a bleaching agent to obtain a first bleached pulp, a second bleached pulp, and a third bleached pulp, wherein the beaten unbleached pulp is bleached to obtain the first bleached pulp, the first bleached pulp is bleached to obtain the second bleached pulp, and the second bleached pulp is bleached to obtain the third bleached pulp; and washing the third bleached pulpwith hot water to obtain a final bleached pulp.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a method of obtaining an organic banana pulp from pseudo stems.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method of obtaining banana pseudo stem pulp that is cost-effective and chemical-free.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method of obtaining banana pseudo stem pulp that reduces carbon footprint.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method of obtaining banana pseudo stem pulp that increases soil productivity from bioproducts.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method of obtaining banana pseudo stem pulp that may increase income and productivity of farmers.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1A illustrates pseudo stems, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1B illustrates small pieces of the pseudo stems, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 1C illustrates boiled pseudo stems, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1D illustrates crushed pseudo stems, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1E illustrates an unbleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1F illustrates a beaten unbleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1G illustrates a first bleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 1H illustrates a second bleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 1I illustrates a third bleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 1J illustrates a final bleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates a digester, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2B illustrates a beater, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2C illustrates a hand sheet prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2D illustrates a bleached sheet prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2E illustrates disposable eating utensils, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 3A illustrates a table depicting a proximate analysis of physicochemical characteristics of the small pieces of the pseudo stems, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 3B illustrates a table depicting properties of the unbleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3C illustrates a table depicting properties of the beaten unbleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3D illustrates a table depicting a Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) and Schopper Riegler (°SR) of the beaten unbleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 3E illustrates a table depicting properties of the hand sheet produced using the beaten unbleached pulp and final bleached pulp, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of obtaining an organic banana pseudo stem pulp from the pseudo stems, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0038] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0039] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0040] FIG. 1A illustrates pseudo stems 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the pseudo stems 100 may be collected from a banana plant for using the pseudo stems 100 as a raw material to obtain a beaten unbleached pulp 110 (as shown in FIG. 1F). The pseudo stems 100 may undergo various operations to generate a fully organic banana pulp, in an embodiment of the present invention. The operations may be such as, but not limited to, cutting, boiling, crushing, bleaching, screening, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pseudo stems 100 may be cut down into small pieces by using a cutting unit (not shown).
[0041] FIG. 1B illustrates small pieces of the pseudo stems 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be boiled with water at a temperature range of 80 degrees Celsius (°C) to 180 degrees Celsius (°C), in an embodiment of the present invention. The water may be, but not limited to, groundwater, river water, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water may be tap water. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the water. The small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be boiled under a pressure range of 2 bar to 6 bar for a first pre-defined amount of time, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pre-defined amount of time may be up to 2 hours.
[0042] FIG. 1C illustrates the boiled pseudo stems 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The boiled pseudo stems 104 may be crushed by using a crushing technique. The crushing technique may be, but not limited to, a hammer mill technique, a grinder, a crusher, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the crushing technique, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] In a further embodiment of the present invention, upon crushing of the boiled pseudo stems 104, a dark colored liquid (not shown) may be obtained as a byproduct. The dark colored liquid may be for example, but not limited to, sludge, glue, precipitate, soot, tar, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dark colored liquid may be liquor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any dark colored liquid that may be obtained as the byproductupon crushing of the boiled pseudo stems 104.
[0044] FIG. 1D illustrates the crushed pseudo stems 106, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the crushed pseudo stems 106 may be washed with a solvent that may be, but not limited to, ethanol, methanol, acetone, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solvent may be water. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the solvent, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the crushed pseudo stems 106 may be washed using washing techniques such as, but not limited to, a jet washing, a drum washing, a steam washing, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any washing techniques that may be used for washing of the crushed pseudo stems 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] FIG. 1E illustrates anunbleached pulp 108, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unbleached pulp 108 may be obtained by subjecting the crushed pseudo stems 106 in a digester 200 (as shown in FIG. 2A) for a set time and a set temperature. According to embodiments of the present invention, the set time may be in a range from 30 minutes (min) to 60 minutes (min). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any set time.
[0046] According to embodiments of the present invention, the set temperature may be in a range from 90 degrees Celsius (°C) to 180 degrees Celsius (°C). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set temperature may be 100 degrees Celsius (°C). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any set temperature for subjecting the crushed pseudo stems 106 in the digester 200.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, a solid-to-liquid ratio of the unbleached pulp 108 may be a proportionate value that may depict a total unit of liquifiedunbleached pulp 108 that may be obtained from one unit of the unbleached pulp 108. According to embodiments of the present invention, a solid-to-liquid ratio of the unbleached pulp 108 may be in a range from 1:4 to 1:6. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any solid-to-liquid ratio of the unbleached pulp 108.
[0048] FIG. 1F illustrates the beaten unbleached pulp 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be obtained by performing a process of beating on the obtained unbleached pulp 108 using a beater 202 (as shown in FIG. 2B). The process of beating may be performed on the unbleached pulp 108 for a time duration of 7 minutes (min) and 30 seconds (sec). The process of beating may be performed on the unbleached pulp 108 to obtain a concentration of 2.0 percent (%) consistency beaten unbleached pulp 110. After completion of the process of beating the unbleached pulp 108, the beaten unbleached pulp 110 obtained may be of a dark color. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the beaten unbleached pulp 110 obtained may be of a brown color. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any dark color of the beaten unbleached pulp 110 obtained.
[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be utilized for production of articles for example, but not limited to, a packaging paper, disposable eating utensils 208 (as shown in FIG. 2E), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any articles that may be produced by utilization of the beaten unbleached pulp 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the articles produced using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may have a shelf life in a range from 1 year to 1.5 years. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shelf life of the articles produced using the beaten unbleached pulp 110.
[0050] FIG. 1G illustrates a first bleached pulp 112, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first bleached pulp 112 may be obtained by performing a bleaching process on the beaten unbleached pulp 110.
[0051] FIG. 1H illustrates a second bleached pulp 114, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second bleached pulp 114 may be obtained by performing the bleaching process on the first bleached pulp 112.
[0052] FIG. 1I illustrates a third bleached pulp 116, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the third bleached pulp 116 may be obtained by performing the bleaching process on the second bleached pulp 114.
[0053] The bleaching process may be carried out by means of adding a pre-defined amount of a bleaching agent such as, but not limited to, chloride, detergent, hypochlorite, and so forth, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bleaching agent may be hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). A pre-defined amount of the bleaching agent utilized for carrying out the beaching process may be 5 grams per liter, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the bleaching agent, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The bleaching process may be carried out at a temperature range of 80 degrees Celsius (°C) to 120 degrees Celsius (°C). The bleaching process may be carried out for approximately 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
[0054] FIG. 1J illustrates a final bleached pulp 118, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the final bleached pulp 118 may be obtained by washing the third bleached pulp 116 with hot water. The water may be, but not limited to, the groundwater, the river water, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hot water may be a heated tap water. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the water.
[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention, the final bleached pulp 118 may be washed using the washing techniques such as, but not limited to, the jet washing, the drum washing, the steam washing, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any washing techniques that may be used for washing of the final bleached pulp 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0056] After washing the third bleached pulp 116 with hot water, the final bleached pulp 118 obtained may be of a bright (light color) color. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the final bleached pulp 118 obtained may be of a white color. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any bright (light color) color of the final bleached pulp 118 obtained.
[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, the final bleached pulp 118 may be utilized for production of articles for example, but not limited to, the packaging paper, a stationary paper, a printing paper, the disposable eating utensils208 (as shown in the FIG. 2E), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any articles that may be produced by utilization of the final bleached pulp 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the articles produced using the final bleached pulp 118 may have the shelf life in a range from 1 year to 1.5 years. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shelf life of the articles produced using the final bleached pulp 118.
[0058] FIG. 2A illustrates the digester 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the digester 200 may be adapted to perform a process of pulping of the crushed pseudo stems 106 to obtain the unbleached pulp 108. According to embodiments of the present invention, the digester 200 may be for example, but not limited to, a plug flow digester, an anaerobic digester, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the digester 200, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0059] FIG. 2B illustrates the beater 202, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the beater 202 may be adapted to perform a process of beating of the unbleached pulp 108 to obtain the beaten unbleached pulp 110.
[0060] In an embodiment of the present invention, the beater 202 may beat the unbleached pulp 108 to maintain a concentration of 2.0 percent (%) consistency. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unbleached pulp 108 may be passed between roll bars (not shown) and a bed plate (not shown). Further, the beater 202 may beat the unbleached pulp 108 in a time range from 7 minutes (min) to 8 minutes (min). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the beater 202 may beat the unbleached pulp 108 for 7 minutes (min) and 30 seconds (sec). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any time range for beating of the unbleached pulp 108 in the beater 202. According to embodiments of the present invention, the beater 202 may be for example, but not limited to, a flat beater, a wire hoop beater, a dough hook beater, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the beater 202, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0061] FIG. 2C illustrates a hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hand sheet 204 may be obtained by molding the beaten unbleached pulp 110 inside of a mold (not shown), in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hand sheet 204 obtained from the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be of the dark color. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hand sheet 204 obtained from the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be of the brown color. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any dark color of hand sheet 204 obtained from the beaten unbleached pulp 110.
[0063] According to embodiments of the present invention, the hand sheet 204 may be utilized in industries such as, but not limited to, a packing industry, a shipping industry, a construction industry, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any industries where the hand sheet 204 may be utilized, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0064] FIG. 2D illustrates a bleached sheet 206 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bleached sheet 206 may be obtained by molding the final bleached pulp 118 inside of a mold (not shown).In an embodiment of the present invention, the bleached sheet 206 obtained from the final bleached pulp 118 may be of the bright (light color) color. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bleached sheet 206 obtained from the final bleached pulp 118 may be of the white color. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any bright (light color) color of the bleached sheet 206 obtained from the final bleached pulp 118.
[0065] According to embodiments of the present invention, the bleached sheet 206 may be utilized in industries such as, but not limited to, a printing industry, an educational industry, an advertising industry, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any industries where the bleached sheet 206may be utilized, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0066] FIG. 2E illustrates the disposable eating utensils 208, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the disposable eating utensils 208 may be produced using the hand sheet 204 or the bleached sheet 206. The hand sheet 204 or the bleached sheet 206 may be converted into a design of the disposable eating utensils 208 by moulding and pressing the hand sheet 204 or the bleached sheet 206 in a pressing mould (not shown) to obtain a corresponding shape of the disposable eating utensils 208.
[0067] According to embodiments of the present invention, the disposable eating utensils 208 may be for example, but not limited to, bowls, plates, spoons, glasses, designer plates, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the disposable eating utensils 208 that may be produced using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 or the final bleached pulp 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0068] FIG.3A illustrates a table 300 depicting a proximate analysis of physicochemical characteristics of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. For analysis of the physicochemical characteristics as shown in the table 300, a 100 gram (gm) of the pseudo stems 100 was converted into the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102. A size of the converted small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 was 420 micrometer (µm).
[0069] According to embodiments of the present invention, the physicochemical characteristics may be, but not limited to, a value of dryness, a value of 0.1 Normality Sodium Hydroxide solubility, a value of Alcohol Benzene solubility value, a value of Ash content, a value of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) content, a value of acid insoluble Lignin content, a value of Holocellulose content, a value of Alpha cellulose content, a value of Beta cellulose content, a value of Gamma cellulose content, a value of Hemicellulose content, a value of Pentosan content, a value of acid soluble Lignin content, a value of free sugar content and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any physicochemical characteristics of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 that may evaluated, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0070] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of dryness of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated by using a “TAPPI T 258 Om-02” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of dryness of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 93.92 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0071] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of 0.1 Normality Sodium Hydroxide solubility of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 212 Om-02” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of 0.1 Normality Sodium Hydroxide solubility of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 32.42 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0072] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Alcohol Benzene solubility of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 204 Cm-97” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Alcohol Benzene solubility of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 03.90 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0073] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Ash content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 211 Om-93” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Ash content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 19.62 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0074] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 245 Cm-98” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 03.93 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0075] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of acid insoluble Lignin content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 222 Om-02” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of acid insoluble Lignin content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 12.11 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0076] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Holocellulose content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 212 Om-02” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Holocellulose content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 75.80 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0077] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Alpha cellulose content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 203 Cm-9” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Alpha cellulose content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 51.54 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0078] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Beta cellulose content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 203 Cm-9”. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Beta cellulose content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 12.35 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0079] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Gamma cellulose content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 203 Cm-9” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Gamma cellulose content value of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 11.73 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0080] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Hemicellulose content value of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 204 Cm-97”. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Hemicellulose content value of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 24.26 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0081] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of Pentosan content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using a “TAPPI T 223 Cm-01” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of Pentosan content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 09.06 percent weight by weight (%w/w).
[0082] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of acid soluble Lignin content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using an Ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of acid soluble Lignin content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 00.08 gram per liter (g/l).
[0083] In an embodiment of the present invention, the value of free sugar content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be tested using the Ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of free sugar content in the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may evaluated to be 01.33 gram per liter (g/l).
[0084] FIG. 3B illustrates a table 302 depicting properties of the unbleached pulp 108, according to an embodiment of the present invention. For evaluation of the properties of the unbleached pulp 108 as depicted in the table 302, an oven dried 200 grams (gm) of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 was processed to obtain the unbleached pulp 108.
[0085] According to embodiments of the present invention, an unscreened pulp (air dried) may be present in the obtained unbleached pulp 108. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unscreened pulp (air dried) present in the obtained unbleached pulp 108 may be 711 grams (gm).
[0086] According to embodiments of the present invention, a dryness may be present in the obtained unbleached pulp 108. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dryness present in the obtained unbleached pulp 108 may be 26 percent (%).
[0087] According to embodiments of the present invention, an unscreened pulp (oven dried) may be present in the obtained unbleached pulp 108. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unscreened pulp (oven dried) present in the obtained unbleached pulp 108 may be 185 grams (gm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unscreened pulp yield in the obtained unbleached pulp 108 may be 92.50 percent (%).
[0088] FIG. 3C illustrates a table 304 depicting properties of the beaten unbleached pulp 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. For evaluation of the properties of the beaten unbleached pulp 110 as depicted in the table 304, the oven dried 200 grams (gm) of the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 was processed to obtain the beaten unbleached pulp 110.
[0089] According to embodiments of the present invention, the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be obtained by performing the process of beating on the unbleached pulp 108 using the beater 202. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the beating time for obtaining the beaten unbleached pulp 110 from the unbleached pulp 108 may be 7 minutes (min) and 30 seconds (sec).
[0090] According to embodiments of the present invention, the unscreened pulp (air dried) may be present in the obtained beaten unbleached pulp 110. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unscreened pulp (air dried) present in the obtained beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be 659 grams (gm).
[0091] According to embodiments of the present invention, the dryness may be present in the obtained beaten unbleached pulp 110. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dryness present in the obtained beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be 20 percent (%).
[0092] According to embodiments of the present invention, the unscreened pulp (oven dried) may be present in the obtained beaten unbleached pulp 110. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unscreened pulp (oven dried) present in the obtained beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be 133.8 grams (gm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unscreened pulp yield in the obtained beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be 66.90 percent (%).
[0093] FIG. 3D illustrates a table 306 depicting a Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) and Schopper Riegler (°SR) of the beaten unbleached pulp 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a freeness value of the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may denote how fast water may drainfrom the beaten unbleached pulp 110. The freeness value of the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be calculated using the Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value for the Schopper Riegler (°SR value) beaten unbleached pulp 110may evaluated to be 200 milliliters (ml).
[0094] In another embodiment of the present invention, a slowness value of the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may denote how slow the water may drain from the beaten unbleached pulp 110. The slowness value of the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be calculated using the Schopper Riegler (°SR value). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Schopper Riegler (°SR value) for the beaten unbleached pulp 110may evaluated to be 51.5.
[0095] FIG. 3E illustrates a table 308 depicting properties of the hand sheet 204 produced using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0096] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a value of grammage of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using an “ISO 536:2012” testing method. The value of grammage may denote a weight per unit area of the hand sheet 204. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of grammage of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 259 gram per meter square (g/m2).
[0097] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tensile index of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using an “ISO 1924-2:2008” testing method. The tensile index may denote an inherent strength of the tensile index. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tensile index of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 49.83 Newton meter per gram (Nm/g). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tensile index of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the final bleached pulp 118 is evaluated to be in a range from 41.2 Newton meter per gram (Nm/g) to 44.1 Newton meter per gram (Nm/g).
[0098] In an embodiment of the present invention, a value of breaking length may denote a minimum length of the hand sheet 204 that may be freely suspended vertically without breaking. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of breaking length of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 5.09 kilometer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of breaking length of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the final bleached pulp 118 is evaluated to be in a range from 4.2 kilometer (km) to 4.5 kilometer (km).
[0099] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tear index of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using an “ISO 1974:2012” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear index of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 5.33 millinewton meter square per gram (mN.m2/g). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear index of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the final bleached pulp 118 is evaluated to be in a range from 4.4 millinewton meter square per gram (mN.m2/g) to 4.9 millinewton meter square per gram (mN.m2/g).
[00100] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tear factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using an “ISO 1924-2:2008” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 54.4. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the final bleached pulp 118 is evaluated to be in a range from 45 to 50.
[00101] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a value of burst strength of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using a “TAPPI T 403” testing method. The value of burst strength may denote a strength and aptness of the hand sheet 204. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the value of burst strength of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 405 kiloPascal (kPa).
[00102] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a burst factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be burst factor. The burst factor may be an amount of pressure that may be with understood by the hand sheet 204. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the final bleached pulp 118 is evaluated to be in a range from 20 to 22.
[00103] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a burst index of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using an “ISO 2758:2001” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 1.56 kiloPascal meter square per gram (kPa.m2/g). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the final bleached pulp 118 is evaluated to be in a range from 1.96 kiloPascal meter square per gram (kPa.m2/g) to 2.16 kiloPascal meter square per gram (kPa.m2/g).
[00104] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) brightness percent of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using an “IS/ISO 2470-1:2009 (RA 2013)” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tear factor of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 16.87 percent.
[00105] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an ash content percent of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 and the final bleached pulp 118 is tested using a “TAPPI 211 Om-93” testing method. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ash content percent of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 is evaluated to be 10.51 percent. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ash content percent of the hand sheet 204 prepared using the final bleached pulp 118 is evaluated to be in a range from 0 percent (%) to 1.0 percent (%).
[00106] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 of obtaining an organic banana pseudo stem pulp from the pseudo stems 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00107] At step 402, the pseudo stems 100 may be cut down into the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102.
[00108] At step 404, the small pieces of the pseudo stems 102 may be boiled with the tap water at the temperature range of 80 degrees Celsius (°C) to 120 degrees Celsius (°C) under the pressure of 2 bar to 6 bar for the first pre-defined amount of time.
[00109] At step 406, the boiled pseudo stems 104 may be crushed by using the crushing technique. The crushed pseudo stems 106 may further be washed with the solvent.
[00110] At step 408, the crushed pseudo stems 106 may be subjected to the digester 200 to obtain the unbleached pulp 108.
[00111] At step 410, the unbleached pulp 108 may undergo through the process of beating using the beater 202.
[00112] At step 412, the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be obtained. The articles produced using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be brown in color.
[00113] At step 414, if the articles produced using the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be required to be of the bright (light color) color, then the method 400 may proceed to a step 416. Else, the method 400 may conclude.
[00114] At step 416, the beaten unbleached pulp 110 may be bleached.
[00115] At step 418, the first bleached pulp 112 may be obtained upon bleaching of the beaten unbleached pulp 110.
[00116] At step 420, the second bleached pulp 114 may be obtained upon bleaching of the first bleached pulp 112.
[00117] At step 422, the third bleached pulp 116 may be obtained upon bleaching of the second bleached pulp 114.
[00118] At step 424, the third bleached pulp 116 may be washed with hot water to obtain the final bleached pulp 118.
[00119] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[00120] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A method (400) for obtaining a banana pseudo stem pulp, the method (400) characterized by steps of:
cutting pseudo stems (100) into small pieces (102);
boiling the small pieces of the pseudo stems (102) with water;
crushing the boiled pseudo stems (104) to obtain crushed pseudo stems (106);
obtaining an unbleached pulp (108) by subjecting the crushed pseudo stems (106) in a digester (200) for a set time and a set temperature, wherein a solid-to-liquid ratio of the obtained unbleached pulp (108) is in a range from 1:4 to 1:6; and
obtaining a beaten unbleached pulp (110) by performing a process of beating on the obtained unbleached pulp (108) using a beater (202).
2. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beaten unbleached pulp (110) is brown in color.
3. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beaten unbleached pulp (110) is utilized for production of articles selected from a packaging paper, a hand sheet (204), disposable eating utensils (208), or a combination thereof.
4. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the obtained unbleached pulp (108) is beaten using the beater (202) for a time duration of 7 minutes (min.) and 30 seconds (sec.) to obtain the beaten unbleached pulp (110).
5. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the obtained unbleached pulp (108) is beaten using the beater (202) to obtain a concentration of 2.0 percent (%) consistency of the beaten unbleached pulp (110).
6. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set time is in a range from 30 minutes (min) to 60 minutes (min).
7. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set temperature is in the range from 100 degrees Celsius (°C) to 180 degrees Celsius (°C).
8. A method (400) for obtaining a banana pseudo stem pulp, the method (400) characterized by steps of:
cutting pseudo stems (100) into small pieces (102);
boiling the small pieces of the pseudo stems (102) with water;
crushing the boiled pseudo stems (104) to obtain crushed pseudo stems (106);
obtaining an unbleached pulp (108) by subjecting the crushed pseudo stems (106) in a digester (200) for a set time and a set temperature, wherein a solid-to-liquid ratio of the obtained unbleached pulp (108) is in a range from 1:4 to 1:6;
obtaining a beaten unbleached pulp (110) by performing a process of beating on the obtained unbleached pulp (108) using a beater (202);
washing and performing a bleaching process recursively on the beaten unbleached pulp (110) by a bleaching agent to obtain a first bleached pulp (112), a second bleached pulp (114), and a third bleached pulp (116), wherein the beaten unbleached pulp (110) is bleached to obtain the first bleached pulp (112), the first bleached pulp (112) is bleached to obtain the second bleached pulp (114), and the second bleached pulp (114) is bleached to obtain the third bleached pulp (116); and
washing the third bleached pulp (116) with hot water to obtain a final bleached pulp (118).
9. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the final bleached pulp (118) is white in color.
10. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the final bleached pulp (118) is utilized for production of articles selected from a printing paper, a bleached sheet (206), the disposable eating utensils (208), or a combination thereof.
Date: 29.02.2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant (IN/PA-1529)