Odor Control Mixture for Absorbent Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent articles have limited effectiveness in reducing a wide variety of malodors, as current odor control systems can only counteract a limited range of malodorous compounds.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent article with an odor control system comprising a specific mixture of alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates, such as 2-phenylethanol, terpineol, piperonal, benzyl acetate, and geranyl acetate, which reduces malodor unpleasantness through absorption, reaction, volatility suppression, and inhibition of microorganism activity, providing comprehensive odor reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single type of odor control material (e.g., zeolite, silica, or activated carbon) is used, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the effectiveness in reducing a wide variety of malodors is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidodor control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple odor control agents (zeolite, silica, activated carbon, and other materials) into a single functional system. This composite approach allows the system to address a broad spectrum of malodorous compounds through the complementary mechanisms of each material, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and odor control versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The odor control system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating materials that work through different mechanisms (physical adsorption, chemical reaction, biological degradation). This universal design enables a single system to effectively handle various types of odors from different sources (urine, feces, sweat, etc.), achieving both ease of manufacture and broad odor control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple odor control materials are combined to broaden the range of malodors reduced, then odor control effectiveness improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor control effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple odor control materials into an integrated system where zeolite, silica, activated carbon, and other agents work together in a unified structure. This combining approach achieves broad-spectrum odor control while managing system complexity through coordinated functionality rather than separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous materials (zeolite, silica, activated carbon) that provide high surface area and multiple adsorption sites within a unified structure. This porous material approach enables complex odor control functionality to be achieved through the inherent properties of the materials rather than through complex system architecture, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional odor control materials are used, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the comprehensive odor reduction capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidodor reduction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a cost-effective composite material system that combines multiple odor control agents (zeolite, silica, activated carbon, etc.) where each component contributes to the overall performance. This composite approach achieves comprehensive odor reduction capability while managing manufacturing costs by selecting materials that are effective yet economically viable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the parameters of the odor control system by adjusting the types, ratios, and configurations of the various materials used. This parameter optimization enables the system to achieve high reliability in odor reduction while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient material selection and proportioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 odor control mixture effectively reduces malodor generation across a broad range of odorous materials, achieving significant odor suppression with optimal results using specific compound combinations and quantities, ensuring safety and ease of manufacture and application.

Implementation Method 1

The odor control system comprises an odor control mixture which reduces the malodor generated by a broad range of odorous materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

EP510619 discloses a wide variety of materials, which have proven to be effective in certain circumstances in reducing malodors in absorbent articles of personal hygiene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

an absorbent article with an odor control system comprising a specific mixture of alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates, such as 2-phenylethanol, terpineol, piperonal, benzyl acetate, and geranyl acetate, which reduces malodor unpleasantness through absorption, reaction, volatility suppression, and inhibition of microorganism activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

EP1842564 discloses an absorbent article comprising an odour control system which comprises aldehydes as a first class of odour control material that reduces odour by acting on a malodorous substance, and a second class of odour control material that inhibits the nose receptors. The odour control system may further comprise a highly volatile component such as terpineol, benzylacetate etc.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3326659B1An absorbent article comprising an odor control mixture
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 TOILETRY SALES
  • EP3326659B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3326659B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is disclosed an absorbent article comprising an odor control mixture comprising: at least one alcohol or phenol selected in the group a) consisting of 2-phenylethanol, terpineol, 3,7-dimethyloctan-3-ol, tetrahydro-2-isobutyl-4-methylpyran-4-ol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol, p-menth-1-en-8-ol, trimethylbenzenepropanol; at least one aldehyde selected in the group b) consisting of piperonal, alfa-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole-5-propionaldehyde, 3-p-cumenyl-2-methylpropionaldehyde, 6-methoxy-2,6-dimethylheptan-1-al, anisaldheyde; at least one acetate selected in the group c) consisting of benzyl acetate, 3,7-dimethyloctan-3-yl acetate, geranyl acetate, hexyl acetate, 2, 6-dimethyl-2-octyl acetate, citronellyl acetate.