Inverted Composition Filaments for Active Agent Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filaments and fibers typically have a higher content of filament-forming materials compared to active agents, limiting the delivery of active agents and requiring a higher cost and slower release rates, while also being unable to incorporate incompatible active agents effectively.

Innovation Solution

Developing filaments with a composition of 45% or less by weight of filament-forming materials and 55% or greater by weight of active agents, allowing for the release of active agents when exposed to conditions of intended use, and enabling the incorporation of normally incompatible active agents into nonwoven webs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the total level of filament-forming materials is increased to maintain filament structure, then the filament structure is maintained, but the delivery efficiency and release rate of active agents decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilament structureVSAvoiddelivery efficiency of active agents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by reducing filament-forming materials to 45% or less and increasing active agents to 55% or more, while adjusting processing parameters (temperature, humidity, pH) to enable the inverted composition to maintain filament structure and achieve faster release rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite filaments with inverted composition where active agents (surfactants, enzymes, polymers) form the continuous phase and filament-forming materials provide structural support, enabling both structure maintenance and enhanced active agent delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the total level of active agents is increased to optimize delivery, then the delivery of active agents is optimized, but the filament structure becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery of active agentsVSAvoidfilament structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes physical and chemical parameters including using supercritical CO2 processing, controlling moisture content, adjusting pH levels, and setting specific temperature ranges to enable high active agent content (55% or more) while maintaining filament structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances and processes such as supercritical CO2, crosslinking agents, and specific polymer matrices that mediate between the conflicting requirements of high active agent content and structural stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If more incompatible active agents are incorporated into filaments, then the versatility of active agent delivery is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincorporation of incompatible active agentsVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal filament matrix system using supercritical CO2 processing and crosslinking technology that can accommodate multiple types of incompatible active agents (surfactants, enzymes, polymers, fragrances) through a single integrated manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses supercritical CO2 as an inert processing medium that allows incorporation of chemically incompatible active agents without unwanted reactions, then selectively releases the CO2 to leave the active agents distributed in the filament structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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

This approach enables efficient and cost-effective delivery of active agents with faster release rates and allows for the incorporation of previously incompatible agents, optimizing their delivery in various applications while maintaining the filament's structure.

Implementation Method 1

spinning the filament-forming composition into one or more filaments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpinning:

Implementation Method 2

one or more active agents are releasable from the filament, such as when exposed to conditions of intended use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRelease: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2462265B1Filaments comprising an active agent, nonwoven webs and methods for making same

Publication Date: 2017.08.09 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

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AI summary

Filaments that contain a filament-forming material and an additive, nonwoven webs, and methods for making such filaments are provided.