Active-Agent Filaments for High-Load Nonwoven Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering active agents through filaments and nonwoven webs are limited by the requirement that filament-forming materials must exceed the weight percentage of active agents, and there is a need for a method to release active agents when the filament's morphology changes or under conditions of intended use, with a higher concentration of active agents than filament-forming materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a nonwoven web comprising filaments where the total level of filament-forming materials is 50% or less by weight and the total level of active agents is 50% or greater by weight, allowing for the release of active agents when exposed to conditions of intended use, such as through morphology changes or ingestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the total level of filament-forming materials exceeds the total level of active agents (conventional approach), then the filament structure is maintained, but the concentration of active agents is limited and delivery efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by inverting the conventional weight ratio parameters: filament-forming materials are reduced to 50% or less by weight, while active agents are increased to 50% or greater by weight. This parameter inversion resolves the contradiction by achieving high active agent concentration while maintaining filament structure through the use of water-soluble polymers that form stable structures at these inverted ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining water-soluble polymers (such as polyvinyl alcohol, starch, or cellulose derivatives) with high concentrations of active agents. This composite approach allows the filament to maintain structural integrity through the polymer matrix while delivering high levels of active agents, resolving the contradiction between structure stability and active agent concentration.
2Productivity
If the total level of active agents is increased above 50% by weight, then the delivery efficiency and release rate of active agents is improved, but the filament structure may become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the filament-forming materials by selecting water-soluble polymers with specific molecular weights and degrees of hydrolysis. These parameter selections ensure that the filament maintains structural integrity even when active agents constitute 50% or more of the total weight, thereby resolving the contradiction between delivery efficiency and structure reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble polymers act as intermediaries that bridge the contradiction between high active agent content and structural stability. These polymers form a matrix that encapsulates and supports the high concentration of active agents, allowing the filament to maintain its structure while enabling efficient active agent delivery through controlled dissolution or degradation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional filament-forming materials are used with high active agent content, then manufacturing is straightforward, but the release of active agents is slow and delivery is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using water-soluble polymers instead of conventional hydrophobic polymers. This parameter change enables faster dissolution and active agent release while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard extrusion or spinning processes, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and release speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions by designing filaments that undergo dissolution or degradation phase changes when exposed to moisture or specific environmental conditions. This allows rapid active agent release triggered by environmental phase changes, maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically increasing the release rate and delivery efficiency.
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
Enables efficient and optimized delivery of active agents with a higher concentration of active agents than filament-forming materials, facilitating faster release and compatibility with otherwise incompatible agents, while maintaining the filament's structure and properties.
Implementation Method 1
one or more active agents that are releasable from the filament as the filament's morphology changes
Implementation Method 2
a cigarette filter made from electrospun fibers comprising a polysaccharide and 10% or less by weight of an active agent, such as a flavorant, that releases from the fibers as the fibers dissolve after being contacted with moist air
Data Source
AI summary
A method for delivering an active agent is provided.