Enzymatic Degradation of Polysaccharide Absorbent Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disposable diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste due to their non-biodegradable materials, and existing reusable cloth diapers require substantial energy and chemical inputs for laundering, posing environmental challenges.

Innovation Solution

An enzymatic degradation process is employed to break down used absorbent structures, utilizing polysaccharide-based superabsorbent polymers with enzymes like cellulase and amylase, followed by mechanical shredding and disposal in municipal sewage systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disposable diapers are made from petroleum-based materials like polypropylene and polyethylene, then they provide effective absorbency and functionality, but they contribute significantly to landfill waste and environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorbency performanceVSAvoidlandfill waste and environmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from petroleum-based polymers to polysaccharide-based superabsorbent polymers. This parameter change maintains the absorbency performance while enabling biodegradation, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a disposable absorbent structure that can be easily degraded after use. By using biodegradable polysaccharide-based materials, the disposable nature of the product no longer creates long-term environmental harm, as the structure can be enzymatically degraded and disposed of in sewage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If reusable cloth diapers are used to reduce landfill waste, then environmental pollution from landfills is reduced, but substantial energy and chemical inputs are required for laundering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelandfill waste reductionVSAvoidenergy and chemical inputs for laundering

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides a disposable absorbent structure that degrades easily after use, eliminating the need for repeated laundering cycles. The biodegradable nature allows single-use disposal in sewage systems, avoiding the energy and chemical consumption associated with washing reusable cloth diapers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal laundering process with an enzymatic degradation process. Instead of using energy-intensive washing machines and chemicals to clean reusable diapers, the biodegradable structure is broken down by enzymes in a controlled environment and disposed of in sewage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If reusable absorbent inserts are used in cloth diapers, then landfill waste is reduced, but they block domestic pipes and sewage systems if flushed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelandfill waste reductionVSAvoiddisposal convenience and pipe blockage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the structural parameter of the absorbent material from conventional non-biodegradable compositions to polysaccharide-based superabsorbent polymers. This parameter change enables the material to be both reusable-friendly (reducing landfill waste) and flushable (not blocking pipes), as it degrades enzymatically in sewage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an absorbent structure that functions as a reusable insert but can be easily discarded by flushing. The biodegradable polysaccharide-based material allows the insert to be used multiple times and then disposed of in sewage systems without causing blockages, combining the benefits of reusable and disposable designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enzymatic degradation effectively reduces absorbent structures to a liquified state, allowing safe disposal without landfilling and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the absorbent structure with a solution comprising enzymes; wherein the absorbent structure comprises a polysaccharide superabsorbent polymer, such as a cellulose-based or a starch-based superabsorbent polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic degradation: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS12496373B2Process of enzymatic degradation of an absorbent structure for a hygiene article

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process of enzymatic degradation of an absorbent structure, the absorbent structure being suitable for providing an absorbent core of a hygiene article, wherein the process comprises the step of contacting the absorbent structure with a solution comprising enzymes; wherein the absorbent structure comprises a polysaccharide superabsorbent polymer, such as a cellulose-based or a starch-based superabsorbent polymer.