Superabsorbent Polymer Coating for Antimicrobial Hygienic Goods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing superabsorbent polymer compositions for hygienic goods, such as adult diapers, face challenges in achieving sufficient antimicrobial and deodorizing properties without compromising basic absorption performance or increasing costs excessively.

Innovation Solution

A superabsorbent polymer composition incorporating crosslinked polymer particles with a quaternary ammonium salt of a silane-based compound as a particulate antimicrobial agent, combined with a chelating agent like EDTA or a mixture of organic acid and silicate-based salt, which are added in specific weight ratios to enhance antimicrobial and deodorizing properties while maintaining absorption performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If various deodorizing/antimicrobial functional components are introduced into superabsorbent polymer composition, then antimicrobial and deodorizing properties are improved, but basic absorption performance deteriorates and unit cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial and deodorizing propertiesVSAvoidbasic absorption performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing functional components only on the surface of superabsorbent polymer particles through coating treatment, rather than mixing throughout the bulk material. This ensures antimicrobial and deodorizing properties are concentrated where needed (at the interface with waste material) while preserving the bulk absorption performance of the polymer core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining superabsorbent polymer particles with coating layers containing antimicrobial agents, deodorizing agents, and porous materials. This composite structure integrates multiple functions (absorption, antimicrobial, deodorizing) while maintaining the distinct advantages of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial and deodorizing propertiesVSAvoidstability of superabsorbent polymer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating stabilizers and protective agents into the coating formulation before application. These protective components prevent premature degradation of the antimicrobial and deodorizing agents, ensuring they remain stable and effective throughout the product lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses porous coating materials as intermediaries that physically encapsulate and protect the functional agents. This intermediary layer shields the antimicrobial and deodorizing components from environmental degradation while still allowing them to function when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial and deodorizing propertiesVSAvoidunit cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions (absorption, antimicrobial, deodorizing, odor adsorption) into a single integrated coating layer applied to the polymer particles. This consolidation reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the manufacturing process, thereby controlling costs while achieving multiple benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous materials in the coating that provide high surface area and adsorption capacity at low material concentrations. This allows effective antimicrobial and deodorizing performance with minimal amounts of expensive functional agents, reducing overall unit cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 composition exhibits improved antimicrobial and deodorizing effects against bacteria-induced odors in hygienic goods without deteriorating absorption capabilities, achieving economic efficiency through the use of relatively low-cost components.

Implementation Method 1

a particulate antimicrobial agent comprising a quaternary ammonium salt of a silane-based compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action of quaternary ammonium salt:

Implementation Method 2

further comprising a chelating agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 3

super absorbent polymer (SAP) is synthetic polymer material that can absorb moisture of 500 to 1000 times of self-weight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperabsorption:

Implementation Method 4

crosslinked polymer of water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers including acid groups, of which at least a part are neutralized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3564298B1Superabsorbent polymer composition

Publication Date: 2022.12.07 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a superabsorbent polymer composition. The superabsorbent polymer composition of the present invention may exhibit very improved antimicrobial and deodorizing properties without deterioration of the properties of superabsorbent polymer such as centrifugal retention capacity, absorbency under pressure, and transmittance, and thus, can be usefully applied for hygienic goods such as a diaper, and the like. The superabsorbent polymer composition comprises: superabsorbent polymer particles comprising crosslinked polymer of water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers including acid groups, of which at least a part are neutralized; and a particulate antimicrobial agent comprising a quaternary ammonium salt of a silane-based compound.