Wet Wipe Lotion Composition for Microbial Control and Skin Gentleness
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for wet wipes with a high water content lotion that is gentle on the skin while meeting preservative system efficacy requirements for microbial growth, particularly for infant care where the skin is sensitive and prone to rashes from urine and fecal matter.
Innovation Solution
The development of wet wipe packages featuring a coform nonwoven material with 14.5% to 45% cotton and a lotion comprising 98.5% to 99.5% water, devoid of fragrance and perfume, incorporating a preservative system with organic acids like benzoic acid and chelating agents to control microbial growth, and a pH buffering system to maintain skin pH and prevent irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the water content of the lotion is increased to make it gentler on skin, then the mildness and skin-friendliness is improved, but the preservative system efficacy against microbial growth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative system by introducing organic acids (benzoic acid, sorbic acid) and chelating agents (EDTA, gluconate) that are effective in high-water-content formulations. This allows maintaining 98-99.5% water content while achieving adequate microbial control through optimized preservative chemistry rather than relying on higher concentrations of traditional preservatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite preservative system combining multiple components: organic acids (benzoic acid, sorbic acid), chelating agents (EDTA, gluconate), and buffer systems (citrate, phosphate). This composite approach creates synergistic effects that enhance preservative efficacy in high-water formulations, allowing the lotion to remain gentle while effectively preventing microbial growth.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chemicals are reduced in the lotion to make it gentler on infant skin, then the skin safety is improved, but the ability to control microbial growth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the concentration of traditional synthetic preservatives while changing to organic acid-based preservatives (benzoic acid, sorbic acid) that occur naturally in many foods and are generally recognized as safe. The chelating agents (EDTA, gluconate) enhance the effectiveness of these milder preservatives, allowing lower overall chemical concentrations while maintaining microbial control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the high water content, which normally promotes microbial growth, into a benefit by using organic acid preservatives that work effectively in high-water environments. The organic acids create an acidic environment that naturally inhibits microbial growth, turning the potentially harmful high-water formulation into a safer product.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lotion is made fragrance-free to reduce skin irritation, then the gentleness on sensitive skin is improved, but the consumer appeal may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the product line into fragrance-free and fragranced variants, allowing consumers to choose based on their preferences and needs. This segmentation maintains the core gentle formulation (high water content, organic acid preservatives) while offering fragrance options for those who desire them, thus satisfying both skin sensitivity requirements and consumer appeal.
4Productivity
If cotton content in nonwoven material is increased to improve absorbency and gentleness, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cotton content parameter within a specific range (14.5%-45%) rather than using 100% cotton. This parameter optimization balances absorbency, softness, and structural integrity while controlling manufacturing complexity. The coform nonwoven structure with bonded fibers provides the necessary mechanical strength despite moderate cotton content.
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 provides effective microbial control and skin protection, ensuring the wipes remain effective and gentle on infant skin, reducing the risk of rashes and maintaining skin health during cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a preservative system with organic acids like benzoic acid and chelating agents to control microbial growth
Implementation Method 2
a pH buffering system to maintain skin pH and prevent irritation
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an array of wet wipe packages including a first package and a second package. The first package includes a first wet wipe having a first nonwoven material and a first lotion. The first nonwoven material includes from about 14.5% to about 45% cotton. The first lotion includes from about 98.5% to about 99.5% water and is devoid of fragrance and/or perfume. The first wet wipe has an Equivalence Value from about 30 to about 95. The second package includes a second wet wipe having a second nonwoven material and a second lotion. The second lotion is different than the first lotion. The first package and the second package are designed to be sold individually. The first package and the second package each include a common brand name.