Ion-Sensitive Super-Absorbent Resin for Flushable Hygiene Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional super-absorbent resins used in disposable diapers and sanitary napkins are not soluble in water and cause clogging when flushed down toilets due to their high cross-linking and strong absorption properties, leading to disposal issues and reduced absorption capacity for body fluids.
Innovation Solution
A super-absorbent resin with a repeating unit having an ionic dissociation group in its main or side chain, which maintains high absorption capacity for saline solutions while being soluble in ion-exchanged water, allowing for direct flushing without clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional super-absorbent resin is used to achieve high absorption capacity to body fluid, then absorption performance is improved, but solubility in water deteriorates causing pipe clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of the super-absorbent resin to include ion-sensitive groups that respond to changes in ionic environment. The resin absorbs body fluid effectively in high-salt conditions but dissolves in low-salt water, preventing pipe clogging. This resolves the contradiction by making the resin's absorption and solubility properties dynamically responsive to environmental parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a resin whose properties change based on the ionic concentration of the surrounding medium. The resin transitions from an absorbed state in body fluid to a dissolved state in water, allowing it to adapt its behavior to different environments. This dynamic property resolution enables the resin to maintain high absorption capacity while avoiding permanent clogging issues.
2Quantity of substance
If cross-linking is increased to improve absorption performance, then absorption capacity is improved, but solubility in water deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by incorporating ion-sensitive functional groups into the polymer structure. These groups allow the resin to maintain cross-linked stability for high absorption capacity while remaining soluble in water through ionic interactions that break down the cross-linked structure in low-ionic environments.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If ion-sensitive film is used to achieve water solubility, then solubility is improved, but absorption performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing a resin where ion-sensitive groups provide water solubility while the overall polymer structure maintains high absorption capacity. The resin absorbs body fluid through its super-absorbent properties and then dissolves in water through ionic mechanisms, achieving both solubility and absorption performance simultaneously.
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 resin achieves high absorption performance similar to conventional resins while enabling safe and convenient disposal by preventing pipe clogging, ensuring effective fluid management in hygiene products.
Implementation Method 1
a super-absorbent resin having as a main component a repeating unit having an ionic dissociation group in its main or side chain
Implementation Method 2
solubility after 30 minutes in ion-exchanged water of not lower than 50% by weight
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a super-absorbent resin which can be used to design an absorbing core or absorbing goods capable of being flown into a flushing toilet. The present invention relates to a super-absorbent resin having as a main component thereof a repeating unit having an ionic dissociation group in its main or side chain, wherein said resin has absorption capacity without load to saline solution (CRCs) for 4 hours of not smaller than 10 g/g, and solubility in ion-exchanged water of not lower than 50% by weight.