A manufacturer of standard and custom bioplastic packaging products. Products include bags, crates, toothbrushes, bottles, bowls, spoons and cooking oil containers made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Also offered are PVA resins, films and fibers for a range of industrial applications. Industries served include healthcare, hazardous waste facilities, commercial laundry services and hospitals.
The present invention relates to a water-soluble bag for storage and handling soiled laundry, specifically infection-proof hospital laundry bags. The invention provides a composite uniplanar water-soluble film consisting of a strip of cold water-soluble plastic film bonded at its edge to a strip of hot water-soluble plastic film. The film can be used for laundry bags to prevent the spread of bacteria on soiled bed linens, clothing and other items in a hospital or nursing home.
After the bag is filled with soiled laundry, it can be placed in a washing machine for wash and rinse cycles. During the cold water cycle the cold water-soluble portion of the film dissolves and is flushed away during a normal laundry cycle. When the washing cycle is over the hot water-soluble portion of the film remains in place and the bag can be removed from the laundry machine.
During the hot water cycle, the heat-resistant polyester layer of the bag resists degradation and protects the contents from moisture. During the rinse cycle, the hot water-soluble portion of the film is released. The bag subsequently disintegrates into harmless ingredients that are not abrasive to clothes or fabric, and can be disposed of in a normal trash receptacle or an environmentally friendly manner.
The hot water-soluble film may be produced using a variety of thermoforming processes, such as injection molding or compression molding. The cold-water-soluble film is made of a variety of materials including polyester, polypropylene, or a mixture thereof. The cold-water-soluble bags may be printed with a barcode and can include a warning or other information on the bag.
Another advantage of the water-soluble bags is that they do not need to be disposed of in an industrial composting facility. This makes them more accessible to markets where such facilities do not exist, especially those that cannot afford to install the equipment needed for compostable bags. They can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill and are also fully recyclable, providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics. However, unlike compostable bags, H2OK bags do not biodegrade in aqueous environments such as oceans, rivers or lakes, which can harm the life within these ecosystems. H2OK bags are also traceable, meaning that each batch of the product can be tracked from its source to its final destination. This helps ensure the safety and quality of the product. The bags can be branded with a logo, which is beneficial to manufacturers who wish to market the product as a green solution for consumers. A version of this article was previously published in the July 2010 issue of Packaging Technology. Copyright 2010 Packaging Technology Inc. water soluble bag manufacturers