Flushable Moist Wipe Composition for Rapid Dispersion and Skin Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flushable wipes face challenges in achieving sufficient strength for use while dispersing quickly after flushing, leading to potential clogging issues in sanitation systems, and often contain alcohol that causes skin irritation.
Innovation Solution
A moist wipe composition comprising a homogenous fibrous material with cellulosic fibers and water-soluble binders, along with a liquid component of water, dipropylene glycol, and calcium chloride, which enhances dispersibility and user comfort without alcohol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional flushable wipes use salt trigger binders or high salt concentration liquid components to maintain strength, then the wipe strength is improved during use, but the dispersion time is prolonged and clogging occurs in sanitation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the liquid component by using low salt concentration (0-5% calcium chloride) combined with dipropylene glycol (15-30%) instead of high salt concentrations. This parameter change allows the binder to release at lower ionic strength, enabling rapid dispersion without requiring high salt environments, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining strength and achieving rapid dispersion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite binder system combining water-soluble polymers (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose) with dipropylene glycol and low concentration calcium chloride. This composite approach creates a binder that maintains strength through multiple mechanisms (hydrogen bonding, polymer chain entanglement) while dispersing rapidly when exposed to water, eliminating the need for high salt concentrations
2Reliability
If conventional wipes use alcohol (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol) as a component for killing bacteria, then the sanitizing effect is improved, but skin irritation occurs particularly in users with sensitive skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes alcohol (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol) from the liquid component formulation entirely. Instead, it uses dipropylene glycol (15-30%) as the primary organic solvent and humectant, combined with low concentration calcium chloride (0-5%) and water (65-80%), thereby eliminating the harmful skin irritation effect while maintaining sanitizing and moisturizing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces long-lasting but harmful alcohol-based sanitizing agents with a water-based formulation that relies on the physical act of wiping and the mild antimicrobial properties of the glycol-salt system. This disposable moist wipe approach achieves sufficient sanitizing effect without the persistent skin-drying effects of alcohol
3Productivity
If dispersible wipes are designed to break down quickly in water, then dispersion is improved, but the wipe fails during its proposed use due to insufficient strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic binder system where the liquid component (water, dipropylene glycol, calcium chloride) provides strong binding during use through hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions, but rapidly transitions to dispersion when exposed to water in the environment. The binder strength is dynamic, being strong when needed for use and weak when needed for dispersion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the liquid component containing dipropylene glycol and calcium chloride to the fibrous material in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures the binder is pre-positioned on the fibers, providing strength during use, and will automatically trigger rapid dispersion when exposed to water in the environment without requiring additional activation
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 wipe achieves rapid dispersion, maintaining strength during use and reducing skin irritation, with improved aesthetic and preservative qualities, while avoiding clogging in sanitation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a homogenous fibrous material comprising one or more cellulosic fibers at about 50 to about 99% w/w of the homogenous fibrous material and one or more water soluble binders
Implementation Method 2
calcium chloride at approximately 4% w/w of the liquid component
Implementation Method 3
dipropylene glycol at approximately 20% w/w of the liquid component
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a moist toilet tissue, cleaning wipe or personal wipe having improved dispersibility and improved comfort for users. The moist toilet tissues, cleaning wipes and personal wipes are sufficiently strong during use and disperse sufficiently quickly under real world conditions to be flushable without creating potential problems for sanitation systems.