Lotion Resistant Polymeric Filler for Absorbent Article Bonds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot melt adhesives used in disposable absorbent articles are costly and have performance issues, particularly in terms of tackifier expense and poor lotion resistance when exposed to skin-protective materials.

Innovation Solution

A substantially tackifier-free polymeric filler composition, selected from propylene butene copolymer, polypropylene homopolymer, or propylene ethylene copolymer, is used within the bond area of absorbent articles, providing improved performance and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If common hot melt adhesives containing tackifiers are used to bond components of the absorbent article, then bonding strength is achieved, but cost increases significantly due to tackifier expense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes tackifiers from the hot melt adhesive formulation, using a polymeric filler composition that achieves bonding without these expensive additives. The composition consists substantially of polymer (85-99.9 wt%) with minimal tackifier (0.1-15 wt%), eliminating the need for high tackifier concentrations (up to 65%) in conventional adhesives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective polymeric filler composition that can be produced more cheaply than traditional tackifier-based adhesives. The use of polypropylene homopolymer, propylene butene copolymer, or propylene ethylene copolymer provides an economical alternative to expensive tackifier formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If common hot melt adhesives are used to bond the bond area, then initial bonding is achieved, but lotion resistance deteriorates after exposure to skin-protective materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak peel strengthVSAvoidlotion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by using specific polymeric fillers (polypropylene homopolymer, propylene butene copolymer, or propylene ethylene copolymer) with controlled molecular weights and comonomer content. This compositional parameter change provides resistance to lotion degradation while maintaining bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining polymer base material with minimal tackifier and optional additives (plasticizers, waxes, antioxidants). This composite structure provides both bonding capability and resistance to skin-protective materials, achieving peak peel strength of 0.1-9 N/cm after 24-hour lotion exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12233170B2Absorbent article comprising a lotion resistant polymeric filler composition

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Described herein is an absorbent article including (a) an absorbent core, a first nonwoven material, a second nonwoven material, and a bond area; and (b) a polymeric filler composition disposed within the bond area. The polymeric filler composition has less than 5% of a tackifier. The polymeric filler composition is chosen from a propylene butene copolymer, a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene ethylene copolymer, and mixtures thereof. The polymeric filler composition has a Tensile Strength at Yield of from about 0.5 MPa to about 10 MPa.