Biodegradable Tampon Applicator Using Water-Soluble Polymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tampon applicators, whether made of plastic or cardboard, pose environmental and user comfort issues due to their non-biodegradability, tendency to clog sewage systems, and difficulties in insertion, with cardboard applicators being less popular and less environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable tampon applicator is developed using a film forming process with pins shaped to form a plunger and barrel, coated with a water-soluble composition including cellulose ether and hydrocolloids, featuring a finger grip and indicia for improved user experience and environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plastic tampon applicators are used, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental harm increases due to non-biodegradability and sewage system clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional plastic to water-soluble polymers (polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose) that maintain the necessary mechanical properties for insertion while being biodegradable and environmentally safe. The material composition is optimized to dissolve within 2 hours in water, transforming the environmental impact parameter while preserving operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator uses composite material formulations combining multiple water-soluble polymers (polyvinyl alcohol 5-20%, polyethylene glycol 10-30%, carboxymethyl cellulose 5-15%) to achieve both the required structural integrity for comfortable insertion and the desired biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between operational performance and environmental harm.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cardboard tampon applicators are used, then environmental harm is reduced compared to plastic, but ease of operation deteriorates due to insertion difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from cardboard to water-soluble polymers with optimized viscosity, elasticity, and tensile strength to achieve smooth surface characteristics and appropriate flexibility for comfortable insertion, while maintaining environmental benefits. The material composition and cross-linking density are adjusted to provide the necessary mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator design incorporates local quality variations with different material formulations in different zones: the insertion tip uses a softer, more flexible composition for comfort, while the body maintains sufficient structural integrity for handling and insertion mechanics.
3Strength
If cardboard applicators are coated with non-compostable coating, then strength is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for non-compostable coatings by using inherently strong water-soluble polymer compositions (polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose) that provide sufficient mechanical strength and structural integrity while being fully biodegradable and environmentally safe, achieving both strength and environmental compatibility simultaneously.
4Manufacturing precision
If film forming process with pins is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses self-service principles where the pins themselves serve as both the forming tool and the mold for creating the applicator shape. The pins are coated with the water-soluble polymer composition, which then forms the applicator structure directly on the pin surface through controlled drying and setting, eliminating the need for separate molding tools and reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 tampon applicator is substantially biodegradable and water-soluble, dissolving within two hours, reducing environmental impact and enhancing user comfort during insertion, while maintaining structural integrity and allowing for branding or messages.
Implementation Method 1
a film forming process with pins shaped to form a plunger and barrel, coated with a water-soluble composition including cellulose ether and hydrocolloids
Implementation Method 2
dissolving within two hours
Implementation Method 3
The tampon applicator is substantially biodegradable and water-soluble, dissolving within two hours
Data Source
AI summary
A substantially biodegradable and water soluble tampon applicator comprising: a plunger and a barrel, said plunger being of a predetermined length, and having a first end and a second end, said second end being a predetermined distance from said first end, said plunger being substantially cylindrical in shape and having a first diameter at said first end and a second diameter at said second end, wherein said first diameter tapers downwards to said second diameter, proximate said first end, said plunger further comprises a first mating portion, said barrel having a first end and a second end, said second end being a predetermined distance from said first end, said barrel being substantially cylindrical in shape and having a diameter greater than the first diameter of said plunger, proximate said first end of said barrel, there is provided a second mating portion to matingly engage said first mating portion of said plunger to maintain said plunger in relation to said barrel in a first position, proximate said first end of said barrel, adjacent said second mating portion, said barrel further comprises a fingergrip.