Layered Nonwoven Substrates for Wet Wipe Softness and Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nonwoven substrates used in wet wipes often face a trade-off between softness and wet strength, making it challenging to achieve a balance of attributes for effective cleaning and skin gentleness.

Innovation Solution

The development of layered nonwoven substrates comprising a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and an inner layer, with specific fiber compositions and structures that enhance softness, flexibility, cleaning efficacy, and wet strength properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a nonwoven substrate is made softer to be gentle on skin, then skin gentleness is improved, but wet strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin gentlenessVSAvoidwet strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The nonwoven substrate is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: outer layers provide softness for skin contact, while inner layers provide structural support and wet strength. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate uses composite material construction combining different fiber types and layer configurations. The outer layers use softer fibers for skin gentleness, while the inner layers use stronger fibers for wet strength, creating a composite structure that exhibits both properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the nonwoven substrate structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the balance of attributes (softness, wet strength, liquid retention) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbalance of attributes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented into multiple layers that can be manufactured separately and then bonded together. This allows each layer to be optimized for specific properties while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process through layer-by-layer construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layer structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: outer layers provide softness and liquid distribution, inner layers provide wet strength and structural integrity. This multi-functionality is achieved through a manufacturing process that deposits different fiber layers in sequence, with each layer contributing a specific attribute.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250026105A1Wet wipes having layered nonwoven substrates and methods of making the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Wet wipes having layered nonwoven substrates and methods of making the same are provided. The layered nonwoven substrate has a first outer layer including a first plurality of fibers and forming at least a part of a first outer surface, a second outer layer including a second plurality of fibers and forming at least a port of a second outer surface opposite the first outer surface, and an inner layer including a third plurality of fibers and disposed at least partially between the first outer layer and the second outer layer. At least a portion of the third plurality of fibers is disposed on one of the first outer surface or the second outer surface. The wet wipes also include a lotion comprising at least 90% by weight of the lotion of water.