Fumaric Acid Sheet for Rash and Odor Control in Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles fail to effectively prevent skin rash and odor suppression due to the dissolution of pH adjusting agents like citric acid in body fluids, and lack sufficient measures against putrefactive bacteria proliferation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fumaric acid-supported sheet with particles of 30 μm or less, or fibers coated with fumaric acid, which slowly dissolves into body fluids, maintaining skin pH and inhibiting bacterial growth, thereby preventing rash and odor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-soluble pH adjusting agents like citric acid are used, then the top sheet becomes alkaline by body fluid, but the pH adjusting agent is easily dissolved and dispersed into body fluid, so it cannot be retained in body fluid discharged portions, resulting in weak acidity not being maintained and rash-preventing effect not being obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of the pH adjusting agent from water-soluble (citric acid) to water-insoluble (fumaric acid). This parameter change enables the pH adjusting agent to be retained in the body fluid discharged portions, maintaining weak acidity and achieving reliable rash-preventing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a disposable absorbent article with fumaric acid particles that slowly dissolve over time. The water-insoluble fumaric acid is gradually released as the article is worn, providing sustained pH adjustment without requiring rapid dissolution like water-soluble alternatives.
2Stability of the object's composition
If water-insoluble pH adjusting agent like fumaric acid is used, then the pH adjusting agent is not immediately dissolved into body fluid, but the supporting property of water-insoluble compound is not sufficiently discussed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous absorbent core as the supporting member for fumaric acid particles. The porous structure provides large surface area and void spaces that effectively retain the water-insoluble fumaric acid particles, ensuring they remain in contact with body fluids throughout the wear period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining the absorbent core with fumaric acid particles. This composite material integrates the retention capability of the porous absorbent core with the pH-adjusting function of fumaric acid, achieving both supporting property and functional effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If putrefactive bacteria are allowed to proliferate in body fluid, then absorption capacity is maintained, but malodor is given off after a period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of body fluid accumulation into a beneficial outcome by using fumaric acid to inhibit putrefactive bacteria. The slow dissolution of fumaric acid creates a sustained acidic environment that prevents bacterial proliferation and malodor while maintaining absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous pH adjustment through the slow, sustained dissolution of water-insoluble fumaric acid over the entire wear period. This continuous action maintains the acidic environment necessary to inhibit bacteria throughout the absorption process, preventing malodor generation.
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 fumaric acid-supported sheet effectively suppresses skin rash and malodor occurrence by maintaining skin pH and inhibiting bacterial proliferation, providing long-lasting protection.
Implementation Method 1
the water-insoluble fumaric acid is not immediately but slowly dissolved into the body fluid or the like
Implementation Method 2
maintaining skin pH and inhibiting bacterial growth
Implementation Method 3
fumaric acid has an action of inhibiting proliferation of putrefactive bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
Absorbent article suppressing occurrence of malodor after use while preventing a rash on a wearer's skin. The absorbent article includes an absorbent body, and a fumaric acid-supported sheet disposed on a skin surface side of the absorbent body. The fumaric acid-supported sheet is a sheet which supports fumaric acid particles having an average particle diameter of 30 μm or less, and/or a sheet in which at least a part of constituent fibers is coated with fumaric acid. When being in contact with the body fluid or the like, fumaric acid is not immediately but slowly dissolved so that alkalization at the area around fumaric acid can be prevented over a long period of time. In addition, fumaric acid has an action of inhibiting proliferation of putrefactive bacteria and, therefore, can prevent occurrence of malodor from the absorbent article having absorbed the body fluid or the like.