Dispersible Wipe Emulsion Stability Against Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispersible moist wipes face challenges in maintaining stability with the addition of electrolytes and oils, leading to phase separation, especially after freeze-thaw cycles, which affects their efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A dispersible moist wipe wetting composition is developed using an emulsifier system and a stability-enhancing system containing gums like xanthan gum and propylene glycol alginate, which maintains physical stability and allows for the inclusion of therapeutic amounts of oil and electrolytes without phase separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If therapeutic amounts of oil and electrolytes are combined in an emulsion, then skin benefits and preservation are improved, but phase separation occurs especially after freeze-thaw cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific intermediary substance (polyethylene glycol distearate) as an emulsifier that mediates between the oil phase and water phase containing electrolytes. This emulsifier creates a stable interface that prevents phase separation even under freeze-thaw conditions, allowing therapeutic amounts of both oil and electrolytes to coexist without separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the emulsion parameters by controlling the concentration of the emulsifier (polyethylene glycol distearate) within a specific range (0.1% to 5% by weight) and adjusting the ratio of oil to electrolytes. These parameter changes enable the emulsion to maintain stability across temperature variations including freeze-thaw cycles while preserving therapeutic efficacy.
2Reliability
If high concentration of emulsifier is used to stabilize emulsion, then emulsion stability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and applies parameter optimization by determining the minimum effective concentration of polyethylene glycol distearate (0.1% to 5% by weight) required to achieve stable emulsion. This optimized parameter range provides cost-effective stabilization without requiring excessive emulsifier quantities, balancing performance with economic considerations.
3Strength
If electrolytes are added to maintain wet strength, then in-use strength is improved, but emulsion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polyethylene glycol distearate as an intermediary emulsifier that is compatible with electrolytes. This emulsifier forms a stable interface that prevents electrolyte-induced phase separation, allowing high concentrations of electrolytes (1% to 10% by weight) to be added for wet strength enhancement without compromising emulsion stability.
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 composition achieves cost-effectiveness, sprayability, and stability even after multiple freeze-thaw cycles, ensuring consistent performance and skin benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersible moist wipe with a wetting composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion
Implementation Method 2
The biggest problem to overcome is the phase separation that occurs when combining electrolytes and oils at therapeutic concentrations in an emulsion
Implementation Method 3
Electrolytes such as sodium chloride and sodium benzoate are used to keep a moist wipe intact until diluted with water
Implementation Method 4
Current dispersible moist wipes do this by using a triggerable, salt-sensitive binder on a substrate made from cellulose-based fibers
Implementation Method 5
emulsions that include therapeutic amounts of silicone oil as a skin barrier... for the prevention of diaper dermatitis (diaper rash) and provide benefits such as emolliency, moisturization
Implementation Method 6
without appropriately modifying the rheology of the water phase, emulsions with a low viscosity and low solids content tend to undergo phase separation
Implementation Method 7
swells and disintegrates in the fresh water of a toilet and sewer system
Data Source
AI summary
A dispersible moist wipe used to clean urine and fecal matter from the skin. The wetting solution is an oil-in-water emulsion containing silicone oil. Phase separation is prevented with one or more gums, propylene glycol alginate, and a Gemini surfactant or phosphate ester.