Benzoic Acid Textile Composition for Wash-Durable Odor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bacterial control methods on textiles, such as those using zinc pyrithione, pose environmental concerns and require extensive formulary efforts to achieve durability, while organic molecules like quaternary ammonium silanes and azoles can be hydrophobic and less effective.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising benzoic acid, its salts, and optional binders, particularly sodium benzoate and citric acid, is applied to textiles through methods like exhaustion or padding, providing durable odor control without imparting hydrophobicity and meeting regulatory requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If zinc pyrithione is used for bacterial control on textiles, then odor reduction is achieved, but environmental pollution and regulatory compliance issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor reductionVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes zinc pyrithione from the textile treatment process, replacing it with alternative antimicrobial agents that do not contain heavy metals. This eliminates the environmental pollution associated with zinc discharge while maintaining the odor reduction function through other antimicrobial mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting zinc-based compounds with alternative antimicrobial agents. This parameter change maintains the biological function of odor control while eliminating the harmful environmental effects of heavy metal discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If organic molecules like quaternary ammonium silanes are used for bacterial control, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but hydrophobicity is imparted to the textile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial controlVSAvoidhydrophobicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the antimicrobial agent to eliminate hydrophobic characteristics. By selecting or designing antimicrobial compounds that lack long hydrocarbon chains or hydrophobic groups, the textile maintains its original wettability and comfort properties while still achieving effective bacterial control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional antimicrobial treatments are applied to textiles, then initial antimicrobial efficacy is achieved, but durability through multiple washes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoiddurability through washes
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary actions to ensure durable attachment of antimicrobial agents to textile fibers. This may include pre-treatment of fibers, optimization of application conditions, or use of bonding agents that create strong attachments before the antimicrobial agents are exposed to wash conditions, ensuring they remain effective through multiple laundering cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures where antimicrobial agents are combined with carrier materials or applied in multi-layer systems. This composite approach enhances the retention and release characteristics of the antimicrobial components, maintaining efficacy through repeated washing by protecting the active agents from premature depletion or degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20240337066A1Composition and method for odor reduction and bacterial control on a textile
Publication Date: 2024.10.10 MICROBAN PROD CO INC

AI summary

A method for reducing microbial growth and odor on a textile material are provided. The method comprises applying a composition to a textile material. The composition consists of a salt of benzoic acid; a non-benzoic acid consisting of sorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, L-glutamic acid, trisodium citrate, potassium sorbate, and combinations thereof. The composition has a weight ratio of salt of benzoic acid to non-benzoic acid ranging from 1:3 to 10:1 and the composition reduces microbial growth on the textile after laundering.