Alginate Dental Impression Paste Self-Curing Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The curing agent paste in dental alginate impression materials stored in sealed packaging containers tends to self-cure over time, leading to reduced fluidity and inability to be ejected, which limits their expiration date and usability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a humectant, such as trehalose, into the curing agent paste to absorb moisture and prevent the gelling reaction agent from reacting, thereby maintaining viscosity and preventing self-curing over a longer period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the curing agent paste is stored in a sealed packaging container over time, then the paste maintains its sealed state, but the paste undergoes self-curing leading to reduced fluidity and inability to be ejected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidfluidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the curing agent paste and the internal atmosphere of the packaging container. This barrier layer prevents moisture from the air inside the container from contacting the curing agent paste, thereby preventing self-curing while maintaining storage stability. The barrier layer acts as a mediator that isolates the paste from harmful environmental factors within the sealed container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the packaging container by adding a barrier layer with specific moisture-blocking properties. This parameter change (introducing a layer with low water vapor transmission rate) fundamentally alters the storage environment, preventing moisture transfer to the paste and thus preventing the self-curing reaction that would otherwise occur over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the curing agent paste is stored for extended periods, then storage duration is increased, but the expiration date is limited due to self-curing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage durationVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer is applied beforehand to the inner surface of the packaging container before filling with the curing agent paste. This prior cushioning creates a protective barrier that prevents future self-curing issues, allowing the paste to be stored for extended periods without degradation. The barrier layer is in place before any potential moisture exposure, cushioning against the harmful effects of time-dependent self-curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the paste viscosity is adjusted for appropriate fluidity at manufacture, then the paste can be smoothly supplied into the kneading apparatus, but the paste self-cures over time reducing fluidity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefluidityVSAvoidexpiration date

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between time and viscosity change. By preventing moisture contact, the barrier layer ensures that the paste maintains its original viscosity characteristics regardless of storage duration. This allows the paste to retain appropriate fluidity for extended periods without self-curing, effectively extending the expiration date while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 use of trehalose in the curing agent paste effectively suppresses the self-curing process, allowing the paste to maintain fluidity and remain usable for a longer time, ensuring consistent production of dental alginate impression materials.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a humectant, such as trehalose, into the curing agent paste to absorb moisture and prevent the gelling reaction agent from reacting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2638893B1Alginate impression material for dental use and curing agent paste used therefor

Publication Date: 2021.09.22 TOKUYAMA DENTAL CORP

Figure 1~2

AI summary

To suppress a curing agent paste stored in a sealed state in a packaging container from self-curing over a long period of time, provided are a dental alginate impression material as described below, and a curing agent paste to be used for the dental alginate impression material. The dental alginate impression material includes: a base material paste including as main components: an alginic acid salt (A); and water (B); and a curing agent paste including as main components: a gelling reaction agent (C); a poorly water-soluble organic solvent (D); and a humectant (E).