Natural Material Pad with Comminuted Plant Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forms of active ingredient and fragrance administration, such as patches and pads, lack an optical and haptic correlation with the plant origin, which can enhance the treatment experience and perceived value for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A natural substance pad with a layered system featuring a comminuted plant material matrix, binder, and a carrier-coating structure that allows for controlled release of active ingredients and fragrances, providing a self-adhesive or non-self-adhesive format with openings for targeted release, and a textured surface for haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional patches and pads are used for active ingredient administration, then the delivery function is achieved, but visual and tactile correlation with plant origin is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses actual comminuted plant material as the matrix instead of conventional synthetic materials, directly copying the plant origin into the product structure. This allows consumers to visually and tactilely perceive the plant source (e.g., green plant material indicating herbal origin) while maintaining the patch format for active ingredient delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining comminuted plant material with binder and active ingredients. This composite approach integrates the natural plant matrix with functional components, achieving both the visual/tactile plant correlation and the required delivery functionality in a unified system.
2Reliability
If the carrier and coating are made impermeable to control release, then controlled release is achieved, but release of volatile active ingredients is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different permeability characteristics to different regions of the patch. The carrier and coating have selective permeability - being sufficiently impermeable to provide controlled release overall, yet allowing volatile active ingredients to diffuse through at appropriate rates. This local quality variation enables simultaneous control and release of different ingredient types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous or semi-permeable structures in the carrier and coating layers. These porous materials provide controlled release by allowing gradual diffusion of active ingredients while maintaining sufficient barrier properties, balancing retention and release rates for different types of ingredients including volatiles.
3Stability of the object's composition
If plant material is comminuted and mixed with binder, then the matrix structure is formed, but visual appeal and texture are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural particulate shape of comminuted plant material rather than forcing spherical or uniform shapes. The varied particle shapes and sizes of the plant material are preserved and even highlighted, creating visual interest and tactile variety that enhances appeal while maintaining structural stability through the binder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent preserves and utilizes the natural colors of the comminuted plant material in the matrix. The varying hues and shades of the plant particles provide visual appeal that directly communicates the plant origin, while the binder holds these colored particles together in a stable matrix structure.
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 natural substance pad offers a superior appearance and feel, enabling coherent and appealing delivery of herbal active ingredients and fragrances, suitable for various applications including skin application, room scenting, and decorative uses, while ensuring controlled release and prolonged emission of active ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
the carrier and the coating are generally at least sufficiently impermeable to these volatile components to allow controlled release through openings in the carrier or coating
Implementation Method 2
the natural product matrix comprises preferably comminuted plant material, a binder, and active ingredients and/or fragrances either bound to the plant material or otherwise distributed within the natural product matrix
Implementation Method 3
the carrier preferably has an adhesive surface at least on its underside facing away from the natural material matrix, by means of which the natural material pad can be glued to a surface on its exposed underside
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a natural material pad in the form of a layer system having a flat natural material matrix that is arranged on a carrier and is covered by a cover, the natural material matrix comprising a preferably size-reduced plant material, a binder and active substances and/or fragrances adhered to the plant material or distributed in the natural material matrix in other ways.