Paraben-Free Wet Wipe Solution for Easy High-Water Extraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional paraben-free wet wipes with high water content face issues with adhesive strength, leading to difficulties in extraction due to increased hydrogen bonding between wet wipe base materials, causing multiple wipes to slip out of the package.

Innovation Solution

A paraben-free chemical solution with a product of film thickness and surface tension ranging from at least 810 to 1020 um.mN/m, achieved by incorporating a non-ionic surface active agent like polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, and using preservatives such as benzoic acid, IPBC, and EDTA-2Na, ensuring high water content and reduced adhesive strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If paraben is omitted and water content is increased to replace it, then the antiseptic effect is improved and skin irritation is reduced, but the adhesive strength between wet wipe base materials increases due to enhanced hydrogen bonding, causing multiple wipes to slip out during extraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoidextraction ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the chemical solution by introducing specific surfactants (anionic, cationic, or nonionic types) and adjusting their concentrations within defined ranges (0.01-5% for anionic, 0.01-1% for cationic, 0.01-3% for nonionic). These parameter changes modify the surface properties of the chemical solution, thereby controlling the adhesive strength between wet wipe base materials while maintaining high water content and paraben-free formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces surfactants as intermediary substances between the chemical solution and the wet wipe base materials. These surfactants act as mediators that regulate the hydrogen bonding interactions, reducing excessive adhesion while preventing complete detachment. The surfactants form an intermediate layer that controls the interfacial properties between the chemical solution and the base materials, enabling easy extraction without multiple wipes slipping out.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If water content is increased in the chemical solution, then the product safety and skin friendliness are improved, but the adhesive strength between layered wet wipe base materials increases, hindering ease of extraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct safetyVSAvoidextraction ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters by incorporating surfactants with specific concentration ranges and molecular structures. These parameter changes affect the surface tension and wetting properties of the high-water-content chemical solution, thereby controlling the adhesive strength between base materials. The surfactant concentration and type are optimized to maintain product safety while enabling easy extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite chemical system combining water, preservatives, and multiple types of surfactants (anionic, cationic, and/or nonionic). This composite material approach allows the chemical solution to simultaneously maintain high water content for safety while the surfactant components regulate adhesion properties. The synergistic interaction between different surfactant types creates a balanced system that resolves the contradiction between safety and extractability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Facilitates easy extraction of wet wipes by maintaining high water content while controlling adhesive strength, allowing for successful removal of multiple wipes without slipping, as demonstrated by the specified product of film thickness and surface tension.

Implementation Method 1

the value of the product of the film thickness of the chemical solution and the surface tension of the chemical solution is at least 810 um.mN/m

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

to replace paraben, hydrogen bonding caused by water increases adhesive strength of wet wipe base materials with respect to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

hydrogen bonding caused by water increases adhesive strength of wet wipe base materials with respect to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive strength: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2900116B1Wet wipe chemical solution and wet wipe
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP2900116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2900116B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A chemical solution for wet wipe and a wet wipe that are paraben-free and allow ease of extraction thereof even with higher water content than conventional products. A paraben-free chemical solution for wet wipe is provided in which the product of the chemical solution film thickness measured by a measurement method specified below and the chemical solution surface tension is at least 810 um.mN/m. For measuring the chemical solution film thickness, first, 0.03 ml of the chemical solution was dropped on a glass slide and another glass slide of the same size was gently placed thereon. Then, allow the glass slides to stand for 30 seconds, and measure the liquid film thickness of the chemical solution interposed between the glass slides by magnified observation with a microscope from a position immediately lateral to the glass slides.