Biodegradable Multi-Layer Facial Pad for Gentle Exfoliation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current exfoliating facial pads often damage the skin due to their rough surfaces and may use harsh, non-biodegradable polymer materials, posing disposability issues.

Innovation Solution

A facial pad design featuring a top and bottom layer of hydroentangled non-woven fibrous material with a coarse, undulated fabric sandwiched in between, providing a soft abrasive effect and enhanced strength, made from natural fibers and biodegradable materials, and optionally coated with seed extracts for exfoliation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If polymer materials are used for exfoliation, then exfoliating effect is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexfoliating effectVSAvoidbiodegradability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from synthetic polymers to natural fibers with specific weight ranges (100-300 gsm for outer layers, 30-60% coarse fabric weight for middle layer), achieving effective exfoliation while maintaining biodegradability through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining three different fabric materials (two non-woven hydroentangled layers and one coarse woven or non-woven layer) to achieve both exfoliation effectiveness and environmental compatibility, resolving the contradiction between performance and biodegradability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If rough surface is used for exfoliation, then exfoliating effect is improved, but skin damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexfoliating effectVSAvoidskin damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating undulations only in the middle coarse fabric layer while keeping outer layers soft, providing exfoliation at the undulation peaks without exposing the skin to harsh rough surfaces directly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses undulated surfaces with curved peaks and valleys in the middle layer, creating gentle abrasive action through rounded contours rather than sharp rough edges, reducing skin damage while maintaining exfoliation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multi-layered structure is used, then exfoliation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexfoliation effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional requirements into a compact three-layer structure where the middle coarse fabric layer provides both structural reinforcement and exfoliation function, reducing overall complexity compared to separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pad into three distinct layers with specific weight ranges and material properties, allowing each layer to perform its function optimally while maintaining manageable structural complexity through clear functional division

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 facial pad effectively removes dead skin cells while being gentle and eco-friendly, avoiding damage and ensuring biodegradability, with improved strength and effectiveness in exfoliation compared to traditional pads.

Implementation Method 1

a coarse fabric material of a third fabric weight sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer, the coarse fabric material including undulations of exfoliating peaks and absorbent valleys and configured to provide a soft abrasive effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a top layer including a material layer of a first fabric weight; a bottom layer including a material layer of a second fabric weight, the top and bottom layers comprising hydroentangled, non-woven fibrous material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3470031B1Facial pads for exfoliation
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 SUPREM ENTERPRISES
  • EP3470031B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3470031B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3470031B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

The invention discloses biodegradable facial pads for exfoliation purposes. The facial pad includes a top layer and a bottom layer made of a hydroentangled, non-woven fibrous material. A coarse fabric material that may have undulations to provide exfoliating effect is sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer. The coarse fabric layer is configured to provide stiffness to the pads so as to aid and facilitate exfoliation. The top layer, bottom layer and the coarse material layer are pinched together along the edges to form an exfoliating pad of specified weight. The top layer is configured to overlay the coarse fabric layer to incorporate the undulations in the coarse fabric layer. This may form exfoliating peaks and absorbent cotton valleys that is suitable for removal of dead cells from the skin when used for exfoliating purposes.