Urease Inhibitor Placement in Absorbent Articles for Skin pH Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent articles, such as diapers, often cause skin irritation known as 'diaper rash' due to high humidity and the presence of urine and feces, which can lead to elevated skin pH levels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a urease inhibitor beneath the topsheet of absorbent articles, rather than on the body-facing surface, helps reduce ammonia production by inhibiting urease activity within the absorbent article. This maintains the skin pH within a range of 4.0 to 6.0, promoting skin health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If lotion is applied on the body-facing surface of the topsheet to protect skin, then skin care protection is improved, but liquid acquisition through the topsheet is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful hydrophobic substance (lotion) is removed from the topsheet surface and replaced with a water-based skin care composition that provides protection without impeding liquid acquisition through the topsheet
Solution Approach 2:
The skin care composition changes the chemical parameters by using water-based formulations with specific pH ranges (4.0-6.0) and incorporating urease inhibitors, transforming the protective mechanism from hydrophobic barrier to biochemical pH control
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lotion is applied on the topsheet to provide skin protection, then skin care is improved, but urine absorption and storage is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic hydrophobic lotion is extracted and replaced with a water-based composition that does not interfere with the absorbent core's ability to absorb and store urine effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The water-based skin care composition acts as an intermediary that provides skin protection while allowing urine to pass through to the absorbent core, using pH control and urease inhibition to maintain functionality
3Object-affected harmful factors
If urease inhibitor is provided underneath the topsheet to maintain skin pH, then skin health is improved, but ammonia production is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The urease inhibitor converts the potentially harmful ammonia production from urea decomposition into a beneficial effect by preventing ammonia formation, thereby maintaining skin pH in the healthy range of 4.0-6.0 and reducing skin irritation
Solution Approach 2:
The urease inhibitor is incorporated into the skin care composition applied to the topsheet, providing preliminary protection against urease activity before urine contact occurs, preventing ammonia production in advance
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 use of urease inhibitors beneath the topsheet effectively reduces skin irritation by maintaining a healthy skin pH, thereby enhancing the comfort and well-being of wearers.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a urease inhibitor beneath the topsheet of absorbent articles, rather than on the body-facing surface, helps reduce ammonia production by inhibiting urease activity within the absorbent article
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a urease inhibitor in an absorbent article to maintain the pH of the wearer's skin in a range of 4.0 to 6.0, wherein the urease inhibitor is provided between the topsheet and the absorbent core and/or is provided in the absorbent core. The invention also relates to absorbent articles comprising a urease inhibitor.