Absorbent Undergarment Fibers With Durable Low-pH Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent undergarments suffer from microbial growth and odor issues due to the entrapment of body fluids, leading to skin irritation and discomfort, and the use of silver antimicrobial fibers has environmental drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent undergarment with a fabric layer and absorbent pad containing naturally-derived fibers treated with polycarboxylic acid, forming a covalent bond to create a low pH environment that inhibits microbial growth and maintains anti-odor properties after laundering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silver antimicrobial fibers are used to control odor and microbial growth, then anti-odor and anti-microbial effects are improved, but environmental impact worsens and sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the antimicrobial agent from silver-based to polycarboxylic acid-based (such as citric acid, isocitric acid, tartaric acid, itaconic acid, or their salts). This parameter substitution maintains the antimicrobial functionality while eliminating the environmental concerns associated with silver mining and processing, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs naturally-derived, biodegradable polycarboxylic acids as alternatives to precious metal-based antimicrobial agents. These organic acids are environmentally friendly, readily biodegradable, and can be applied through simple treatment processes, providing a sustainable replacement that reduces environmental impact while maintaining antimicrobial performance.
2Quantity of substance
If absorbent pad is used to absorb body fluids, then absorption capacity is improved, but microbial growth and odor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary anti-action by treating the absorbent pad materials with polycarboxylic acids before use. This pre-treatment creates an acidic environment on the fabric surfaces that proactively inhibits microbial growth, preventing the development of odors and infections that would normally result from fluid entrapment in the absorbent pad.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating specific regions of the absorbent undergarment (the absorbent pad, wicking layer, or skin-facing layer) with polycarboxylic acids. This localized treatment creates antimicrobial zones exactly where body fluids are absorbed and where microbial growth is most likely to occur, thereby addressing the harmful effects at their source while maintaining overall absorption capacity.
3Reliability
If polycarboxylic acid is applied to naturally-derived fibers, then anti-microbial effects are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-treating the naturally-derived fibers with polycarboxylic acids during the manufacturing process. The fibers are immersed in or sprayed with polycarboxylic acid solutions, allowed to absorb the treatment, and then dried. This pre-treatment approach integrates antimicrobial functionality into the base materials before assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring consistent anti-microbial performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or chemical bonding methods with a simple absorption and drying process. The polycarboxylic acid treatment is applied through immersion, spraying, or coating, followed by drying to remove excess moisture. This substitution of complex manufacturing steps with a simple physical process reduces manufacturing complexity while achieving reliable anti-microbial effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The absorbent undergarment effectively reduces microbial growth and odor, maintaining a skin-friendly pH and providing sustainable anti-microbial effects through the use of polycarboxylic acid, which is environmentally friendly and safe for repeated use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one carboxyl group which reacts with the free hydroxyl group of the naturally-derived fibers to form a covalent bond
Implementation Method 2
The free carboxyl group confers a low pH to the treated layer resulting in anti-microbial effects that remain present after laundering of the absorbent undergarment
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an absorbent undergarment comprising a fabric layer defining a waist opening, two leg openings and a crotch region between the leg openings, the absorbent undergarment further comprising an absorbent pad covering at least part of said crotch region and being permanently attached to the fabric layer. The absorbent pad comprises at least one absorbent layer and a skin-facing layer. At least one layer, selected from said absorbent layer, said skin-facing layer or an optionally present wicking layer, comprises naturally-derived fibers comprising a polycarboxylic acid. The polycarboxylic acid has at least one carboxyl group covalently bound to the naturally-derived fibers and at least one free carboxyl group.