Substituted Cyclodextrin Complexes for Rapid Odor Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cyclodextrin complexes in absorbent articles are inefficient in releasing odor controlling compounds quickly enough to counteract malodors, such as those from urine or menstrual fluids, leading to potential embarrassment and loss of confidence, as they require time to release the fragrance or masking agents.
Innovation Solution
The use of position-specific-substituted cyclodextrins, where the hydrogen atoms of OH groups in positions 2, 3, and 6 are partially or entirely replaced by substituents, enhancing solubility and allowing for rapid release of encapsulated fragrances with less moisture required, and improved placement within the article for effective odor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uncomplexed cyclodextrin molecules are used to trap malodorant molecules, then odor control is achieved through complexing, but the release of odor controlling compounds is slow and incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of cyclodextrin by introducing substituents at specific positions (2, 3, and/or 6) on the glucose units. This structural parameter change enhances the solubility and release characteristics of the cyclodextrin complex, allowing faster and more complete release of odor controlling compounds while maintaining odor trapping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining cyclodextrin with specific substituents (such as hydrophilic groups) to form substituted cyclodextrin. This composite structure integrates the odor-trapping capability of cyclodextrin with the enhanced solubility and release properties of the substituent groups, resolving the contradiction between reliable odor control and fast release.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cyclodextrin complexes are used to protect odor controlling compounds, then chemical stability is improved during storage, but the release kinetics are insufficient for immediate odor control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of cyclodextrin by adding substituents that increase hydrophilicity and solubility. This parameter modification allows the complex to maintain stability during storage while enabling rapid dissolution and release when exposed to moisture, thus reducing the time delay before effective odor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The substituted cyclodextrin is pre-engineered with enhanced solubility characteristics during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when the absorbent article encounters moisture during use, the cyclodextrin complex can rapidly dissolve and release the odor controlling compounds without significant time delay, while having already provided protection during storage.
3Quantity of substance
If more moisture is required for cyclodextrin to release fragrance, then release completeness improves, but response time to malodor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the hydrophilicity parameter of cyclodextrin by introducing water-soluble substituents. This parameter change reduces the amount of moisture needed for dissolution and release, allowing the system to achieve complete fragrance release faster after fluid absorption, thus improving both response speed and release completeness.
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 substituted cyclodextrin complexes provide faster and more complete release of odor controlling compounds, effectively reducing malodor perception sooner after fluid absorption, thereby enhancing personal confidence and odor control in absorbent articles.
Implementation Method 1
odor controlling organic compounds which play an active role in reducing the perception of malodors... can be introduced into the absorbent articles in the form of complexes with cyclodextrin
Implementation Method 2
When odor controlling organic compounds are incorporated into absorbent articles in the form of cyclodextrin complexes, they are typically released from the cyclodextrin complexes when the article comes into contact with the fluids to be absorbed
Implementation Method 3
The use of position-specific-substituted cyclodextrins, where the hydrogen atoms of OH groups in positions 2, 3, and 6 are partially or entirely replaced by substituents, enhancing solubility and allowing for rapid release of encapsulated fragrances with less moisture required
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are absorbent articles having a cyclodextrin complex of one or more odor controlling organic compounds wherein the cyclodextrin is a substituted cyclodextrin (wherein the H atom of OH groups in positions 2, 3 and 6 is partially or entirely replaced by a substituent -R) having a substitution degree (DS) of 0,4 or more -R substituents per molecule of cyclodextrin and wherein substitution in position 2 is 20% or above, in position 6 is 20% or above and in position 3 is 50% or below. Cyclodextrin complexes of this type release the odor controlling organic compound much faster and in more complete manner than non-substituted or differently substituted cyclodextrin complexes thus the odor control efficacy is improved.