Sanitary napkin composition containing calcium lactate as active ingredient and sanitary napkin using same
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- METIMEDI PHARMA CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-06
Smart Images
Figure KR2026001501_06082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Sanitary pad composition containing calcium lactate as an active ingredient and sanitary pad using the same
[0001] The present invention relates to a sanitary pad composition containing calcium lactate and a sanitary pad using the same.
[0002] Generally, the term "sanitary pad" refers to a device designed to absorb female secretions such as menstrual blood or vaginal discharge, and such sanitary pads include internal types that are inserted into the vagina and external types that adhere to the outside of the vagina.
[0003] Meanwhile, menstrual blood secreted during menstruation contains blood, cellulose, and mucous substances. Although this blood is absorbed by the absorbent pads in sanitary pads, the prolonged absorption creates an environment favorable for the proliferation of various bacteria, posing a hygienic problem. Therefore, the hygienic condition of sanitary pads is extremely important, and protection against bacterial growth and skin protection, along with the absorption of menstrual blood and secretions, are essential requirements for sanitary pads.
[0004] The most important factor in the function of a sanitary pad is its hygroscopicity.
[0005] The prior art, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-7001986, "absorbent sanitary pad," relates to a sanitary pad having a laminated structure comprising a first sheet of liquid-permeable material, a second sheet of liquid-permeable material disposed adjacent to the first sheet, and an absorbent member disposed adjacent to the second sheet for absorbing liquid, wherein the second sheet is arranged to receive liquid deposited on the first sheet and to move the liquid to the absorbent member, and aims to solve this absorbency through a specific sheet structure, etc.
[0006] In addition, there is also a prior patent for a sanitary pad containing a composition of tea tree, alum, maifan stone, and zeolite and a super absorbent polymer (SAP) to inhibit bacterial growth and enhance skin protection in addition to absorbency (Korean Patent Publication No. 1020160022024).
[0007] The present invention was conceived in response to the above necessity, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a sanitary pad composition having absorbency, inhibition of bacterial growth, and enhanced protection of the skin barrier.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sanitary pad having absorbency, inhibition of bacterial growth, and enhanced protection of the skin barrier.
[0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a sanitary pad composition comprising calcium lactate as an active ingredient.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the calcium lactate is preferably included in an amount of 2.5 mM to 25 mM, and more preferably in an amount of 10 mM, but is not limited thereto.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the composition preferably has a growth inhibitory effect against S. aureus and / or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), but is not limited thereto.
[0012] In addition, the present invention provides a sanitary pad characterized by comprising: an absorbent layer that absorbs menstrual blood and secretions, containing a sanitary pad composition containing calcium lactate as an active ingredient; a label layer located above the absorbent layer and being liquid permeable; and a waterproof layer located below the absorbent layer and being liquid impermeable.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the calcium lactate is preferably included in an amount of 2.5 mM to 25 mM, and more preferably in an amount of 10 mM, but is not limited thereto.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the sanitary pad preferably has a growth inhibitory effect against S. aureus and / or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), but is not limited thereto.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a sanitary pad characterized by comprising: an absorbent layer containing the sanitary pad composition and absorbing menstrual blood, secretions, etc.; a labeling layer located above the absorbent layer and having liquid permeability; and a waterproof layer located below the absorbent layer and having liquid impermeability.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 18, the sanitary pad (100) of the present invention comprises a sanitary pad composition (140) containing calcium lactate as an active ingredient, which is incorporated into a menstrual blood absorbent pad (130). As illustrated in FIG. 8, the sanitary pad (100) according to the present invention has a basic configuration consisting of a permeable inner sheet (110) that allows secretions to pass through, an impermeable outer sheet (120) that is fused to the outside of the inner sheet (110), and a menstrual blood absorbent pad (130) that is inserted and fixed between the inner sheet (110) and the outer sheet (120) to absorb secretions that have passed through the inner sheet (110).
[0017] When the sanitary pad composition (140) of the present invention is in a liquid form, it can be used by impregnating it into the menstrual blood absorbent pad (130) and drying it, and when the sanitary pad composition (140) is in the form of a dry powder, it can be used by applying it to the outside of the menstrual blood absorbent pad (130), but it is not limited to such forms of use, and the method of impregnating the sanitary pad composition (140) onto the menstrual blood absorbent pad (130) is known to those skilled in the art.
[0018] As can be seen from the present invention, the composition of the present invention can absorb menstrual blood more effectively than conventional sanitary pads, inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and the like, strengthen the skin barrier of the female reproductive organs, and protect the skin from humid environments and infections.
[0019] Figure 1 is a photograph showing the surface tension when Bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) is treated with calcium lactate at different concentrations, and Figure 2 is a photograph showing the capillary action when Bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) is treated with calcium lactate at different concentrations.
[0020] Figure 3 is a photograph confirming surface tension when human saliva is treated with calcium lactate according to concentration, Figure 4 is a photograph confirming capillary action when human saliva is treated with calcium lactate according to concentration, and Figure 5 is an experiment measuring the movement speed of the bottom surface of an angled slide when human saliva is treated with calcium lactate according to concentration.
[0021] Figure 6 is an experiment confirming the gelling phenomenon in menstrual blood treated with calcium lactate, Figure 7 is an experiment confirming surface tension and shape in menstrual blood treated with calcium lactate, and Figure 8 is a photograph confirming the capillary phenomenon in menstrual blood treated with calcium lactate.
[0022] Fig. 9 is a photograph showing the absorption of menstrual blood in gauze molecularly coated with calcium lactate, Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the absorption of menstrual blood in gauze molecularly coated with calcium lactate, Fig. 11 is a 3D schematic diagram illustrating the absorption of menstrual blood in gauze molecularly coated with calcium lactate, Fig. 12 is a graph calculating the volume and surface area of gauze that has absorbed menstrual blood in gauze molecularly coated with calcium lactate, and Fig. 13 is an enlarged photograph of the area where menstrual blood has been absorbed in gauze molecularly coated with calcium lactate.
[0023] Fig. 14 is a photograph showing the loss of function of the absorbent layer of a sanitary pad upon repeated exposure through menstrual blood, and Fig. 15 is a photograph showing that the function of the absorbent layer is maintained upon repeated exposure in a sanitary pad treated with calcium lactate in the absorbent layer.
[0024] Figure 16 is a graph confirming the efficacy of the raw material in inhibiting toxic microorganisms.
[0025] Figure 17 shows the results confirming the skin barrier strengthening efficacy of the raw material, and
[0026] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a sanitary pad containing the sanitary pad composition of the present invention.
[0027] In the drawings of the present invention, 'METI' and 'RapidClot SP' mean 'calcium lactate' unless otherwise specified.
[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below through non-limiting examples. However, the following examples are described for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention shall not be interpreted as being limited by the following examples.
[0029] Example 1: Gelation of animal-derived mucin by calcium lactate
[0030] Bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) is a glycoprotein polymer extracted from bovine salivary glands. Glycoproteins undergo gelation when exposed to calcium, and the gelled glycoprotein polymer increases the viscosity of the liquid. Surface tension was measured as one of the experiments to verify whether calcium lactate gels mucin. Calcium lactate was prepared at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 25.0 mM in 0.1% BSM and 20 µl of each was dropped vertically onto polypropylene (PP). Low-viscosity DW and high-viscosity Tween 20 were used as controls. It was observed that the size of the water droplets gradually decreased with treatment with calcium lactate. (Fig. 1)
[0031] Capillary action is a representative method for verifying viscosity. Capillary action is the phenomenon where a fluid rises along a thin tube, and the lower the viscosity, the higher it rises. It can be observed that the low-viscosity DW rises high, while the high-viscosity Tween 20 fails to rise high up the tube. (The two tubes on the right in the left photo of Fig. 2) The 0.1% BSM solution without calcium lactate rose to a height slightly lower than DW, and it was confirmed that the calcium lactate-treated solutions reached a lower height. The calcium lactate-treated groups with concentrations of 2.5–10 mM yielded the same results, while the 25 mM calcium lactate-treated group was located at a lower height. (The left and right photos in the left photo of Fig. 2)
[0032] Through the above experiment, it was confirmed that the gelation and viscosity of mucin increased due to calcium lactate in 0.1% BSM, an animal-derived mucus.
[0033]
[0034] Example 2: Gelation of human-derived mucin by calcium lactate
[0035] Human saliva also contains a certain amount of mucin. To verify the gelation and viscosity increase of human-derived saliva caused by calcium lactate, saliva from healthy men was collected and an experiment was conducted. 5 ml of saliva was collected, centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 1 minute, and the supernatant was used. As with Example 1, the surface tension of human saliva was observed. Since saliva has high viscosity, it was diluted with distilled water at a 1:1 ratio, and the diluted saliva was treated with calcium lactate at concentrations of 10 mM and 54 mM. 20 µl was taken from each group and dropped vertically onto L-LDPE (Linear-Low Density Polyethylene). Comparing the distilled water and the undiluted saliva, the saliva, due to its higher viscosity, was observed to clump inward. The diluted saliva had a lower viscosity and exhibited a more convex shape; however, when treated with 10 mM calcium lactate, it was confirmed that the saliva clumped inward and its height decreased because the gelation of mucin occurred, increasing viscosity. The group treated with 54 mM calcium lactate did not show a significant difference despite the addition of a high amount of calcium lactate aqueous solution. (Fig. 3)
[0036] As a result of verifying the viscosity of the saliva using capillary action, distilled water and the calcium lactate aqueous solution rose up the capillary tube to similar levels. The undiluted saliva rose to half the height of distilled water, while the undiluted saliva treated with calcium lactate rose lower. Saliva diluted with distilled water also rose to half the height of distilled water, and the height decreased when treated with calcium lactate. (Fig. 4)
[0037] To verify the viscosity increase caused by calcium lactate using an alternative method, an inclined slide experiment was conducted. Using the smooth side of a slide glass, it was set at a 30-degree angle to the ground, and the time taken to travel a distance of 5.5 cm was measured. (Schematic diagram on the left in Fig. 5) Each experimental group was measured three times, and a value of zero was calculated if the slide remained stationary for more than one minute. As a result, the group with added calcium lactate showed a slowdown in the speed of descending the inclined slope or stopped without descending. (Center in Fig. 5; Graph against time) The velocity was calculated using the equations of distance, speed, and time and plotted on a graph. As the concentration of calcium lactate increased, the velocity decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. (Right in Fig. 5; Graph against velocity)
[0038] Through the above experiments, it was found that mucin is present in human saliva. It was proven that this mucin forms a polymer with the calcium of calcium lactate, leading to an increase in viscosity and gelation.
[0039]
[0040] Example 3: Gelation of menstrual blood
[0041] Unlike normal blood, women's menstrual blood does not clot. However, menstrual blood is expelled from the female reproductive system along with shed uterine tissue, carrying with it various mucus and microorganisms found at the cervix and vagina. Through this process, menstrual blood becomes infused with mucin.
[0042] The mucin present in menstrual blood can induce gelation by calcium lactate, similar to Examples 1 and 2. 100 µl of menstrual blood was treated with calcium lactate at various concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 25.0, and 54 mM). EP-tubes containing 80 µl of menstrual blood—excluding 20 µl for the surface tension test—were inverted and observed at room temperature for a total of 30 minutes. Approximately 10 minutes after inverting the EP-tube, the menstrual blood without calcium lactate flowed down to the bottom. The group treated with 54 mM flowed down to the bottom immediately upon inversion; this phenomenon is attributed to the menstrual blood being excessively diluted with the calcium lactate solution. The menstrual blood treated with calcium lactate at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 25.0 mM did not flow down even after 30 minutes. (Fig. 6)
[0043] Surface tension was checked simultaneously with the above experiment. Menstrual blood clearly had a higher viscosity than normal blood. Menstrual blood without calcium lactate treatment maintained its circular shape well, but when treated with calcium lactate, it was observed that the surface did not form smoothly due to gelation. Unlike the previous example, changes in the shape of the contact surface, as well as size and height, are highly likely to have been influenced by cells and microorganisms present in the menstrual blood. (Fig. 7)
[0044] In terms of capillary action, menstrual blood containing calcium lactate was located at a lower height. In particular, when treated with 2.5 mM and 25 mM calcium lactate, the result was nearly twice as low. (Fig. 8)
[0045] The above results indicate that calcium lactate can interact with mucin in menstrual blood, and can solve various problems with sanitary pads by increasing the viscosity and gelling of menstrual blood.
[0046]
[0047] Example 4: Gelation of menstrual blood in gauze
[0048] Molecular coating was performed on gauze using 0, 10, 25, and 54 mM calcium lactate aqueous solutions. 200 µl of menstrual blood was dropped onto the finished gauze from the same height. Unlike normal blood, menstrual blood, which has a higher viscosity, flowed down to the back of the four layers on the new gauze. On gauze moistened only with distilled water and dried, the menstrual blood flowed down to the back of the three layers, while on gauze moistened with 10 mM calcium lactate solution and dried, the blood flowed down to the front of the three layers. It was confirmed that on gauze moistened with 25 mM and 54 mM calcium lactate solutions and dried, the menstrual blood permeated up to the front of the four layers. (Fig. 9)
[0049] A 2D schematic diagram was drawn by measuring the width and length of the menstrual blood formed on each surface. With regular gauze, the menstrual blood penetrated widely and deeply; however, with gauze soaked in distilled water and dried, the blood spread widely but did not penetrate deeply. The best results were observed in gauze coated with 10 mM calcium lactate molecules. Both the penetration depth and the spreading area showed a tendency to decrease compared to the control group. Gauze coated with 25 mM and 54 mM calcium lactate molecules did not spread widely but showed deep penetration. (Fig. 10)
[0050] 3D modeling was performed based on the above data. The gauze soaked in distilled water and dried soaked the gauze widely and deeply. On the gauze coated with 10 mM calcium lactate molecules, the menstrual blood gelled, resulting in a shape that descended deeply without spreading sideways. The gauze coated with 25 mM and 54 mM calcium lactate molecules descended deeply, resembling a tail, but became very small in size. This difference appears to be due to the difference in gelation speed depending on the concentration. (Fig. 11)
[0051] Based on 3D modeling, the volume and surface area of menstrual blood permeated through the gauze were calculated. The greatest reduction in volume and surface area was observed in the gauze coated with 10 mM calcium lactate molecules. Compared to the control group, the volume decreased by approximately 27.75%, and the surface area decreased by 15.55%. As the concentration of calcium lactate increased, the volume and surface area showed a tendency to increase slightly. In conclusion, the 10 mM calcium lactate molecular coating was determined to be the most suitable. (Fig. 12)
[0052] Finally, the appearance of menstrual blood on calcium lactate molecule-coated gauze was observed under magnification. More radial thread-like structures were observed on the 10 mM calcium lactate molecule-coated gauze compared to the control group, and as the concentration of calcium lactate increased, it appeared in a clumpy form. (Fig. 13)
[0053] Experiments using calcium lactate molecule-coated gauze showed that calcium lactate significantly alters the physical properties of menstrual blood. Additionally, the optimal concentration of calcium lactate for molecular coating could be determined.
[0054]
[0055] Example 5: Gelation of menstrual blood in a sanitary pad
[0056] Following the calcium lactate molecular-coated gauze, molecular coating technology was applied to actual sanitary pads to observe changes in the characteristics of menstrual blood. To apply calcium lactate to the absorbent layer, an aqueous calcium lactate solution or distilled water was inserted through the holes in the cover layer and dried. A total of 5 ml of 10 mM calcium lactate solution or distilled water was injected, with 1 ml each placed above, below, left, and right of the central hole. Additionally, the volume was reduced to inject 500 ml of the 10 mM calcium lactate solution or distilled water into only the single central hole. After the sanitary pads were sufficiently dried in a drying oven, menstrual blood was applied. 500 ml of menstrual blood was injected at a constant rate from the same height as the cover layer.
[0057] New sanitary pads that had not undergone any treatment absorbed menstrual blood as soon as it came into contact, trapping the blood in the absorbent layer. However, it was confirmed that the absorption of menstrual blood was not efficient for sanitary pads that had been soaked in distilled water and then dried. This phenomenon indicates that conventional sanitary pads cannot reliably trap menstrual blood that flows out over a long period of time. In other words, the longer the sanitary pad is worn, the more the absorbent layer loses its function (Fig. 14). On the other hand, sanitary pads coated with 5 ml of calcium lactate and 10 mM molecular coating showed absorption capabilities equivalent to those of conventional sanitary pads (Fig. 15). Through this experiment, it can be seen that sanitary pads can absorb menstrual blood that flows out repeatedly over a long period more effectively than conventional sanitary pads.
[0058] Furthermore, when a tissue was placed on the cover layer and a pressure of 500g of water was applied, the amount of menstrual blood that leaked out was lowest in the sanitary pad coated with 5ml of 10mM calcium lactate molecular coating. Thanks to the effective absorption of menstrual blood, almost no blood remains on the surface, which can significantly alleviate women's discomfort. (Figs. 14 and 15)
[0059]
[0060] Example 06: Antimicrobial effect of raw material on Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)-inducing bacteria
[0061] Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a sensitive issue for women, is primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Calcium lactate, a raw material, inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, which causes TSS. Staphylococcus aureus can develop resistance to methicillin antibiotics, known as Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Calcium lactate exhibits an inhibitory effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus itself as its concentration increases. (Fig. 16) Since sanitary pads are worn for extended periods, there is a possibility for Staphylococcus aureus to proliferate on the warm, humid absorbent layer and genital surface, based on the serum nutrients in menstrual blood. In healthy women, this is usually resolved through the body's defense mechanisms, but in cases where this is not the case, it can lead to TSS. Calcium lactate can prevent TSS by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus.
[0062]
[0063] Example 7: Skin barrier strengthening efficacy of raw materials
[0064] The most representative and important function of human skin is to block the interior from the outside. The skin surface that primarily performs this function is the stratum corneum. Keratinocytes, which constitute the stratum corneum, undergo differentiation induced by calcium. HaCat cells, representative keratin epithelial cells, were confirmed to differentiate into cells forming the stratum corneum when treated with calcium lactate. Cadherin, a calcium ion-dependent transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in intercellular adhesion, significantly decreased starting from treatment with 2.5 mM calcium lactate. Conversely, Involucrin, Filaggrin, and K10, terminal differentiation markers of keratinocytes, significantly increased starting from treatment with 2.5 mM calcium lactate. (Fig. 17, left) Microscopic images confirmed that undifferentiated keratinocytes differentiate due to calcium lactate, and that the cell morphology also changes. (Fig. 17, right) Therefore, the raw material can strengthen the skin barrier of the female reproductive system and protect the skin from humid environments and infections.
Claims
1. A sanitary pad composition containing calcium lactate as an active ingredient.
2. A sanitary pad composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the calcium lactate comprises 2.5 mM to 25 mM.
3. A sanitary pad composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the calcium lactate comprises 10 mM.
4. A sanitary pad composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the composition has a growth inhibitory effect against S. aureus and Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
5. An absorbent layer containing a sanitary pad composition comprising calcium lactate as an active ingredient and absorbing menstrual blood and secretions; A label layer located on top of the absorption layer and made of liquid permeability; and A sanitary pad characterized by comprising a liquid-impermeable waterproof layer located below the absorbent layer.
6. A sanitary pad according to claim 5, characterized in that the calcium lactate comprises 2.5 mM to 25 mM.
7. A sanitary pad according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the calcium lactate contains 10 mM.
8. A sanitary pad according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the sanitary pad has a growth inhibitory effect against S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).