Gel Softener Coating for Tissue Softness and Biodegradability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enhancing tissue softness, such as using chemical debonders and creping, are costly, energy-intensive, and can result in overly moist or greasy textures, necessitating a biodegradable and energy-efficient solution that provides moisturizing benefits without excess wetness or greasiness.
Innovation Solution
A tissue with a cellulosic substrate coated with a gel softener formed from a sugar diester or 1,3:2,4 dibenzylidene sorbitol, which is sprayable above room temperature and solidifies at room temperature, creating a non-greasy, moisturizing surface when applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If chemical debonders are incorporated into tissues to improve softness, then tissue softness is improved, but cost increases and biodegradability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using sugar diesters (mannitol or sorbitol diesters with specific chain lengths) instead of conventional chemical debonders. These sugar diesters provide the necessary softening effect while being biodegradable and cost-effective, directly resolving the contradiction between softness improvement and environmental/cost concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite treatment by combining sugar diesters with lotions during the tissue manufacturing process. This composite approach allows the sugar diester to provide softness and biodegradability while the lotion contributes moisturizing benefits, achieving multiple functions simultaneously without the drawbacks of individual treatments
2Shape
If creping and through air drying are used to enhance softness, then tissue softness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating softening agents (sugar diesters and lotions) during the manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring post-processing energy-intensive treatments like creping and through air drying. This preliminary chemical treatment achieves softness without the need for high-energy mechanical or thermal processing steps
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lotions are used to provide skin moisturizing benefit, then moisturizing effect is improved, but tissue becomes overly moist or greasy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the parameters of lotion application and formulation to achieve optimal moisturizing effects. By adjusting the type and concentration of lotion and combining it with sugar diesters, the invention provides skin moisturizing benefits while preventing the tissue from becoming overly moist or greasy, thus resolving the textural contradiction
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 gel softener improves tissue softness and smoothness, providing a cooling and refreshing effect without excessive moisture, while being biodegradable and energy-efficient, and can be tailored to destructure at body temperature for optimal skin interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The gel softener is the contact product of a gelator and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable oil. The gel softener is in a solid or semi-solid state upon contact with the substrate at room temperature.
Implementation Method 2
the gel softener is sprayable at a temperature above room temperature. Further, the gel softener is in a solid or semi-solid state upon contact with the substrate at room temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a tissue including a cellulosic substrate having a gel softener disposed on the substrate. The gel softener is a contact product of a gelator and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable oil. Further, the gel softener is sprayable at a temperature above room temperature and is in a solid or semi-solid state upon contact with the substrate at room temperature.