Water-Dissolvable Release Component for Oral Care Implement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-soluble release polymers used in oral care implements degrade at high temperatures, limiting their processing temperatures to below 130°C, which results in rapid release profiles and extended manufacturing times, making them unsuitable for the entire lifespan of oral care products.
Innovation Solution
A water-dissolvable matrix comprising a graft polymer formed from caprolactam, vinyl acetate, and ethylene glycol, allowing for injection molding at temperatures greater than or equal to 150°C, enabling the formation of a stable release component for oral care implements without compromising the controlled release characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-soluble release polymers are used to provide controlled release, then the release characteristics are improved, but the processing temperature must be kept below 130°C which extends manufacturing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer matrix by using a graft polymer with specific monomers (caprolactam, vinyl acetate, ethylene glycol) that allows processing at higher temperatures (≥150°C) while maintaining water-soluble release characteristics. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling faster manufacturing through high-temperature processing without sacrificing the controlled release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite polymer structure consisting of a graft polymer matrix combined with water-soluble release polymers. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve both high processing temperature capability (from the graft polymer matrix) and controlled release characteristics (from the water-soluble polymer), thereby resolving the time-reliability contradiction.
2Reliability
If water-soluble release polymers are used to provide release function, then the release profile is improved, but the polymers degrade at temperatures above 130°C which limits processing options
Solution Approach 1:
The graft polymer acts as an intermediary matrix that protects the water-soluble release polymer from thermal degradation. The graft polymer matrix can withstand high temperatures (≥150°C) and provides a stable structure that prevents the water-soluble release polymer from degrading, thereby enabling high-temperature processing while maintaining the release profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where the heat-resistant graft polymer matrix serves as a protective medium for the temperature-sensitive water-soluble release polymer. This composite structure allows the system to operate at high temperatures without compromising the release characteristics, resolving the temperature-reliability contradiction.
3Reliability
If conventional water-soluble polymers are used, then the release function is achieved, but the rapid release profile makes them unsuitable for the entire lifespan of the oral care implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the release kinetics parameters by selecting specific graft polymer compositions and molecular weights that control the water-soluble polymer's degradation rate. This parameter optimization ensures the release function persists throughout the entire product lifespan (several months) rather than occurring rapidly, resolving the duration-reliability contradiction.
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 allows for the production of oral care implements with a slow-release profile lasting several months, reducing manufacturing time and ensuring consistent performance over the product's lifespan while maintaining high processing temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a water-dissolvable matrix comprising a graft polymer having units formed from caprolactam, vinyl acetate, and ethylene glycol
Implementation Method 2
injection molding a composition comprising a graft polymer onto a head of an oral care implement at a temperature equal to or greater than about 150° C. to form a water-dissolvable polymer matrix
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care implement having a handle, and a head having a main body that is coupled to the handle. The head may include a release component coupled to the main body. The release component may include a water-dissolvable matrix comprising a first polymer having a processing temperature greater than or equal to 150° C. The oral care implement may include a plurality of tooth cleaning elements. A method of forming an oral care implement which includes injection molding a composition comprising a graft polymer onto a head of an oral care implement at a temperature equal to or greater than 130° C. to form a water-dissolvable polymer matrix.