Hygiene Patch Barrier Layer Prevents Sweat Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hygiene plasters for absorbing sweat in the armpits are often bulky, prone to detachment during heavy sweating, and can lead to poor wearing comfort and reduced effectiveness in preventing sweat stains and odor.

Innovation Solution

A flexible hygiene plaster with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a liquid-impermeable barrier between the absorbent pad and the adhesive surface, featuring a superabsorbent pad with a hydrophilic fluid-absorbing agent, designed to adapt to body contours and prevent sweat penetration, ensuring reliable adhesion and odor control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional hygiene plasters are made with thick absorbent pads, then sweat absorption capacity is improved, but the plaster becomes bulky and prone to detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesweat absorption capacityVSAvoidplaster thickness and bulkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials in the absorbent pad, combining superabsorbent polymers with hydrophilic fibers to achieve high sweat absorption capacity within a thin profile. This composite structure allows the plaster to maintain thinness while effectively absorbing sweat, resolving the contradiction between absorption capacity and device bulkiness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the absorbent materials, using superabsorbent polymers with specific absorption capacities and hydrophilic properties. By optimizing these parameters, the plaster achieves high sweat absorption in a thin configuration, preventing both bulkiness and detachment during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the adhesive layer is made thicker to improve adhesion, then reliability of attachment is improved, but the plaster becomes bulkier and less comfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion reliabilityVSAvoidplaster thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the adhesive layer parameters by selecting pressure-sensitive adhesives with specific tack and bonding strength characteristics. This allows the use of a thin adhesive layer that provides sufficient adhesion reliability without contributing to plaster bulkiness, maintaining comfort during extended wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If conventional plasters are made bulky to ensure absorbency, then sweat absorption is improved, but wearing comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesweat absorptionVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite absorbent structures combining superabsorbent polymers with hydrophilic fibers, achieving high sweat absorption capacity in a thin, flexible configuration. This composite approach maintains wearing comfort by eliminating bulkiness while ensuring effective sweat management through the synergistic properties of the composite materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin-film construction for the plaster body, using flexible, breathable membrane materials that provide effective sweat absorption and vapor transmission. This thin-film approach ensures high absorbency without the bulkiness that would compromise wearing comfort and flexibility during body movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If the plaster is made thin to improve comfort, then wearing comfort is improved, but adhesion reliability during heavy sweating deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewearing comfortVSAvoidadhesion during heavy sweating
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes adhesive layer parameters by selecting pressure-sensitive adhesives with specific tack and bonding strength characteristics that ensure reliable adhesion even during heavy sweating. This allows the use of a thin adhesive layer that provides sufficient adhesion reliability without contributing to plaster bulkiness, maintaining comfort during extended wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a barrier layer as an intermediary between the adhesive and the absorbent pad, preventing sweat from penetrating to the adhesive interface. This barrier layer maintains adhesion reliability during heavy sweating by blocking sweat pathways, while the overall plaster structure remains thin and comfortable for extended wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides enhanced comfort and effectiveness in absorbing sweat, preventing odor formation, and maintaining adhesion even during heavy sweating, while minimizing material thickness and potential skin irritation.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent pad (4) arranged in a central section on the flexible carrier layer (2) or on the adhesive surface (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The absorbent pad comprises a storage fleece (6) containing a fluid-absorbing agent (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

a liquid-impermeable barrier layer (5) arranged between the flexible carrier layer (2) and the absorbent pad (4), or between the adhesive surface (3) and the absorbent pad (4), to prevent the absorbed sweat from penetrating the flexible carrier layer (2) or the adhesive surface (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid impermeability: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 4

a flexible carrier layer (2) with an adhesive surface (3) that adheres to human skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 5

The absorbent pad comprises a storage fleece (6) containing a fluid-absorbing agent (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic absorption: Hydrophile

Data Source

PatentEP4017305B1Hygiene patch for absorbing sweat
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 HANSE LOPACK RISKAU GMBH
  • EP4017305B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hygiene patch for absorbing sweat from human skin. The hygiene patch has a flexible carrier layer which an adhesive surface that can be fixed to the human skin and an absorbent layer arranged in some portions on the flexible carrier layer or on the adhesive layer to absorb the sweat emitted by human skin. An at least partly liquid-impermeable barrier layer is disposed between the flexible carrier layer or the adhesive surface and the absorbent layer and prevents any sweat absorbed by the absorbent layer from diffusing through to the flexible carrier layer or the adhesive surface.