Particulate Water-Absorbing Agent for Retention and Permeability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-absorbing resins fail to achieve a sufficient balance of fluid retention capacity, liquid permeability, and low dustiness, and there is a need for improved methods to measure their physical properties.

Innovation Solution

A particulate water-absorbing agent with enhanced properties is developed, and a novel evaluation method is introduced to measure these properties, including a measurement device and methods for CRC, DRC, GPR, and DAP.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional water-absorbing resin is used to achieve high fluid retention capacity, then absorption performance is improved, but liquid permeability decreases and dustiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid retention capacityVSAvoiddustiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle size parameters of the water-absorbing resin, specifically controlling D50 within 200-600 μm and D90 within 600-1200 μm. By optimizing these size parameters, the resin achieves high fluid retention capacity while reducing dustiness and improving liquid permeability, resolving the contradiction between absorption performance and harmful dust generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a specific particle size distribution where different particle sizes serve different functions. Larger particles (controlled D90) provide structural integrity and reduce dust, while the overall distribution maintains adequate liquid permeability pathways, allowing simultaneous achievement of fluid retention and reduced dustiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If water-absorbing resin particle size is reduced to improve fluid permeability, then liquid permeability is improved, but fluid retention capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid permeabilityVSAvoidfluid retention capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the particle size parameters within specific ranges (D50: 200-600 μm, D90: 600-1200 μm) to achieve the best balance. These parameter changes ensure sufficient liquid permeability through adequate particle spacing while maintaining fluid retention capacity through appropriate particle size and distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If conventional measurement methods are used for physical properties, then measurement is possible, but measurement complexity and difficulty remain high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical property measurementVSAvoidmeasurement device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention provides a comprehensive measurement system that can evaluate multiple physical properties (fluid retention capacity, liquid permeability, dustiness, absorption speed) using integrated test methods. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall measurement process while maintaining precision for each property, reducing the need for multiple separate complex devices.

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

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 method allows for easier measurement of physical properties and results in a particulate water-absorbing agent with improved fluid retention, permeability, and reduced dustiness, enhancing performance in absorbent bodies.

Implementation Method 1

the particulate water-absorbing agent having a non-uniformly pulverized shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a measurement device and methods for CRC, DRC, GPR, and DAP

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4113099B1Particulate water-absorbing agent
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO LTD
  • EP4113099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4113099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4113099B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a water-absorbing resin having more excellent balance of fluid retention capacity, liquid permeability, and low dustiness, an absorbent body comprising the water-absorbing resin, and an absorbent article comprising said absorbent body.