Tampon Applicator Using Injection-Molded Cellulose Composite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tampon applicator assemblies, particularly those made from plastics and paperboard, face environmental concerns due to non-biodegradability and clogging issues in sewage systems, lacking in both functional and attractive features compared to molded plastic versions.
Innovation Solution
Development of an applicator assembly using cellulose pulp-based composites that are injection-molded, providing a biodegradable and recyclable solution with reduced petroleum content, featuring a combination of hardwood and softwood pulp fibers, starch as a binder, and carboxymethylcellulose as a dispersing agent for rapid water absorption and dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If plastic materials are used for applicator assembly, then functional features and manufacturing precision are improved, but environmental harm and biodegradability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining cellulose fibers (from wood pulp) with starch binder and water to create an injection-moldable composite that replaces traditional plastics. This composite maintains the functional and manufacturing precision of plastic applicators while being biodegradable and environmentally friendly, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using a water-based slurry of cellulose fibers and starch instead of petroleum-based plastics. The slurry can be injection molded under controlled temperature and pressure conditions, enabling the production of complex-shaped applicators with fine details while using biodegradable materials, thus resolving the contradiction between functional features and environmental harm.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If paperboard is used for applicator assembly, then biodegradability is improved, but functional features and structural integrity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system where cellulose fibers provide structural strength and stiffness, while starch acts as a binder to hold the fibers together. This composite structure maintains the structural integrity needed for applicator function while remaining biodegradable, resolving the contradiction between biodegradability and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection-molded applicator components have a porous structure that allows water to penetrate and initiate disintegration. The porous network formed by the cellulose fiber matrix provides both structural integrity in the dry state and controlled water absorption for biodegradation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining strength and enabling biodegradability.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used for applicator assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but dispersibility in water and sewage system compatibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a water-based slurry of cellulose fibers and starch instead of molten plastic. This slurry can be injection molded using modified equipment, maintaining ease of manufacture while creating a product that disperses in water and is compatible with sewage systems, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and water dispersibility.
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 solution offers a biodegradable and recyclable applicator assembly that addresses environmental concerns, maintaining structural integrity and fine detail accuracy while ensuring rapid dispersibility in water, thus reducing waste management burdens.
Implementation Method 1
carboxnymethylcellulose as a dispersing agent for rapid water absorption and dispersion
Implementation Method 2
carboxnymethylcellulose as a dispersing agent for rapid water absorption and dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
A tampon applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly may include a barrel portion, a grip portion and an ejection plunger configured to slide coaxially within one or both the barrel portion and the grip portion. One or more of the barrel portion, grip portion and ejection plunger may be molded from a molding composite comprising cellulose fibers.