Biodegradable Sanitary Articles with High Biobased Content
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sanitary articles lack improved biodegradability and biobased content, posing environmental concerns and discomfort due to inadequate moisture management.
Innovation Solution
Sanitary articles composed of biodegradable polymers with high biobased content, featuring a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core, utilizing biodegradable polyester polyol polymers and superabsorbent polymers to enhance absorbency and comfort while minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional polymers are used in sanitary articles, then manufacturing cost and process simplicity are maintained, but biodegradability and biobased content are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer materials by selecting biodegradable polymers with specific functional groups (ester, carbonate, acetal, ether, nitrile, urethane, urea, imide, anhydride, phosphate, or cyanocrylate) in their main chains. This parameter change enables biodegradability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through conventional polymer processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures by combining biodegradable polymers with superabsorbent polymers in the absorbent core, and integrating multiple functional layers (tops sheet, absorbent core, back sheet) with distinct material compositions to achieve both environmental benefits and functional performance.
2Ease of operation
If conventional topsheet materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but moisture management and wearer comfort are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a topsheet with non-uniform structure featuring apertures or voids at specific locations to enhance liquid penetration and distribution. The topsheet material itself has localized functional groups that promote moisture wicking in specific directions, improving comfort without requiring complex multi-layer constructions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable polymers with high biobased content are used, then environmental responsibility is improved, but production cost and cycle time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sanitary article into distinct functional components (tops sheet, absorbent core, back sheet, elastic members, adhesive fasteners), each made from biodegradable polymers with specific functional groups. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different components using optimized manufacturing cycles for each, improving overall production efficiency while maintaining biodegradability.
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 solution provides improved biodegradability and biobased content, reducing environmental damage and enhancing user comfort by effectively managing moisture through the use of biodegradable materials in sanitary articles.
Implementation Method 1
The absorbent core may comprise laminates or combinations of several sheets or webs of the requisite type of materials
Implementation Method 2
superabsorbent polymers dispersed through the topsheet as discrete particles
Implementation Method 3
The topsheet is generally compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin while maintaining a liquid pervious characteristic, permitting liquids to readily penetrate through its thickness
Implementation Method 4
The retained fluids may also not penetrate a hydrophobic backsheet which is positioned farthest from a wearer's body
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to sanitary articles such as disposable diapers, adult incontinent pads, feminine hygiene products, and sanitary napkins comprised of biodegradable polymers with higher biobased content. The sanitary articles include a topsheet, an absorbent core, and a backsheet. The topsheet is comprised of biodegradable polyester polyol polymer foam which may be configured to wick liquid away from a wearer's body and may be impregnated with superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent core may be comprised of superabsorbent polymer including a cross-linked and/or partially neutralized polyacrylic acid polymer, cross-linked polyacrylic acids or cross-linked starch-acrylic acid graft polymers. The backsheet may be comprised of poly-lactone polymers having generally hydrophobic characteristics. In preferred embodiments, the polymeric materials comprising the topsheet, absorbent core, and backsheet are formed from raw materials with high biobased content.