Substrate Composition for Disposable Absorbent Articles Reducing Fecal Adherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable absorbent articles face challenges in reducing the adherence of feces or menses to the skin without impacting manufacturing processes, as hydrophobic compositions slow urine transfer and leave an undesirable feel, while hydrophilic compositions may remain liquid and cause process issues.
Innovation Solution
A substrate composition comprising 50% to 95% alkoxylated polyol compounds and 5% to 50% structuring agents, which are solid at 25°C, reducing adherence by being immobile and providing hydrophilic properties for efficient urine transfer and skin contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophobic compositions are applied to reduce adherence of feces or menses to skin, then adherence reduction is improved, but urine transfer speed deteriorates and skin feel becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the composition by using specific hydrophilic polymers (polyacrylates, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose) with controlled molecular weights and charge densities. These parameter adjustments enable the composition to maintain hydrophilicity for fast urine transfer while providing adequate adherence reduction through electrostatic repulsion mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite composition combining multiple hydrophilic polymers with different functionalities. The composite includes charge-bearing polymers for electrostatic repulsion of fecal particles, hydrophilic polymers for rapid urine wicking, and optionally charge-neutralizing agents. This composite approach achieves both adherence reduction and maintained urine transfer speed that single-component hydrophobic compositions cannot provide.
2Speed
If hydrophilic compositions are applied to improve urine transfer and skin feel, then urine transfer speed is improved, but manufacturing processability deteriorates due to liquid state persistence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter by controlling the glass transition temperature and molecular weight of the hydrophilic polymers. By selecting polymers with appropriate Tg values and molecular weights, the composition remains processable (can be applied as solution or melt) but transitions to a solid, non-migrating state after deposition, eliminating the liquid state persistence problem while maintaining hydrophilicity for rapid urine transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable absorbent articles with compositions that are designed to be effective during the short usage period but do not require long-term stability. The hydrophilic polymer composition provides the needed functionality during use (rapid urine transfer and adherence reduction) without needing to maintain liquid state for extended periods, allowing simplified manufacturing processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophilic compositions are used to reduce adherence, then adherence reduction is improved, but composition stability deteriorates due to liquid state persistence affecting manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid by controlling polymer molecular weight, crosslinking density, and glass transition temperature. The solid composition provides stability during manufacturing and storage, preventing migration and degradation, while the hydrophilic nature and charge characteristics are preserved to provide adherence reduction functionality when in contact with body fluids and skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces charge-neutralizing agents as intermediaries that stabilize the hydrophilic polymer composition during manufacturing and storage. These agents control the charge density and prevent unwanted interactions that could lead to composition instability, while allowing the composition to maintain its adherence reduction capability through controlled electrostatic repulsion mechanisms during use.
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 effectively reduces adherence of feces or menses to the skin, facilitating cleaning while maintaining processability and ensuring rapid urine transfer through the absorbent core, with a melting point above 25°C for stability and hydrophilic properties for effective wetting.
Implementation Method 1
hydrophilic compositions that transfer to the skin and reduce the adherence of feces or menses to the skin
Implementation Method 2
a composition that reduces the adherence of feces or menses to the skin
Implementation Method 3
transfer of urine from the topsheet to the underlying absorbent cores
Data Source
AI summary
A composition applied on a substrate comprised by, or forming, or used for manufacturing of, a disposable absorbent article may be used for reducing the adherence of feces or menses to the human skin. The composition deposited on the substrate does not affect negatively the manufacturing process of the disposable absorbent article and imparts desirable fluid handling properties to the substrate. The composition may also be desirably deposited on a substrate used as, or in a wipe.