Silicone Polymer Softening Agent for Wet Wipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for wetting compositions that include a silicone polymer softening agent which is water soluble or dispersible, provides a softening effect to the basesheet, and reduces the potential for production of unwanted by-products.

Innovation Solution

The wetting composition includes a silicone polymer softening agent with a specific structure, comprising -CH2CH2CH2-(CaH2aO)b-H, -CH2CH2CH2-OCH2-CH(OH)-CH2, and R1 groups, which are configured to ensure water solubility or dispersibility, provide a softening effect, and avoid reactive groups that could lead to unwanted by-products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a silicone polymer is added to provide softening effect, then the wipe experience is enhanced, but water solubility and dispersibility are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftening effectVSAvoidwater solubility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The silicone polymer structure is modified with specific local functional groups (polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide segments) to create regions with different properties: the silicone backbone provides softening while the ether segments provide water solubility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining silicone polymer backbone with polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide side chains, achieving properties of all components in a single material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If certain silicone polymer structures are used to enhance softening, then the softening effect is improved, but unwanted by-products are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftening effectVSAvoidunwanted by-products

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical structure parameters of the silicone polymer are precisely controlled, including the ratio of polyethylene oxide to polypropylene oxide segments and the molecular weight, to achieve softening effect while preventing by-product formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of reactive silicone groups into a benefit by carefully selecting non-reactive terminal groups and stable ether linkages, turning what could be problematic reactivity into enhanced stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4013378B1Wetting composition including silicone polymer softening agent and wet wipes including the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

Wetting compositions can include water and a silicone-based softening agent. The softening agent can include a structure of: G1 can be -CH2CH2CH2-(CaH2aO)b-H. G2 can be -CH2CH2CH2-OCH2-CH(OH)-CH2- R1. R1 can be selected from the group consisting of: -NH-(CH2)n-NH2, -NH-(CH2)n-NH-(CH2)m-NH2, N-piperidine, and N-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-piperidine.