Plant-Based Diaper With Wax-Coated Cotton Top Sheet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles, such as diapers, often use petro-chemical derived materials that can cause skin irritation and are not environmentally friendly, despite their superior moisture management capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a plant-based absorbent article that uses cotton as the top sheet with a wax-based coating and an acquisition/distribution layer composed of apertured film and non-woven materials, all made from renewable sources, to enhance moisture management without using petro-chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plant-based fibers are used in the top sheet, then consumer health and sustainability concerns are addressed, but moisture removal capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article is divided into functionally distinct layers: a plant-based top sheet for comfort and sustainability, a hydrophobic barrier layer for rapid moisture redirection, and a plant-based absorbent core for moisture absorption. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydrophobic barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the plant-based top sheet and the absorbent core. This intermediary layer rapidly redirects moisture away from the skin surface toward the absorbent core, preventing moisture accumulation on the skin while maintaining the plant-based material composition.
2Speed
If petro-chemical materials are used, then moisture management performance is improved, but health risks and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters from petro-chemical to plant-based materials throughout the absorbent article. The top sheet, barrier layer, and absorbent core are all constructed from renewable plant-based materials, maintaining moisture management performance while eliminating health risks associated with petro-chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent article uses composite materials constructed from multiple plant-based components: natural fibers in the top sheet, hydrophobic plant-based coatings, and plant-based absorbent polymers in the core. This composite structure achieves superior moisture management performance entirely through renewable materials.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If natural fibers are used in the top sheet, then sustainability is improved, but moisture retention causes skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the absorbent article into distinct functional layers with different material properties. The top sheet uses plant-based fibers for sustainability and comfort, while the barrier layer and absorbent core use specialized plant-based materials optimized for moisture redirection and absorption, preventing moisture retention on the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydrophobic barrier layer acts as an intermediary between the moisture-absorbing top sheet and the skin. This layer rapidly redirects moisture away from the skin surface toward the absorbent core, preventing the moisture retention problem while maintaining the sustainability benefits of plant-based materials throughout the 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
This solution effectively reduces skin irritation by quickly removing moisture from the skin and traps it within the absorbent core, while also promoting sustainability by replacing plastic materials with renewable resources.
Implementation Method 1
a first layer, wherein the first layer is a cotton top sheet with a wax-based coating deposited on an exterior surface of the first layer (adjacent to the wearer's skin, or 'user-facing')
Implementation Method 2
a first sublayer comprising an apertured film acquisition sub-layer disposed on top of, and laminated to, a second sub-layer comprising a non-woven distribution layer designed to rapidly distribute liquid from the first layer through the acquisition layer into the absorbent core
Implementation Method 3
designed to rapidly distribute liquid from the first layer through the acquisition layer into the absorbent core
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article that is toxin-free and made from plant-based, biobased, all natural, clean ingredients. In one embodiment, the absorbent article is a diaper made from plant-based resin, comprising: (i) a first layer, wherein the first layer is a cotton top sheet with a wax-based coating deposited on an exterior surface of the first layer (adjacent to the wearer's skin, or “user-facing”); and (ii) a second layer, wherein the second layer is an acquisition/distribution layer (ADL), and wherein the ADL is comprised of two sub-layers of different materials, a first sublayer comprising an apertured film acquisition sub-layer disposed on top of, and laminated to, a second sub-layer comprising a non-woven acquisition layer.