PL238666B1 - Absorptive article and method for producing the absorptive article - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article containing an odor-reducing additive and a method of producing an absorbent article containing an odor-reducing additive.

Basic property requirements for absorbent articles relate to the ability of absorbent articles to absorb and retain body fluids. Furthermore, these products should be comfortable, should not cause skin discomfort when worn for a long time, and in the case of adult users, it is important that their use is discreet.

An important area of development in the field of absorbent articles is the control of aroma compounds contained in absorbed articles during their use.

The undesirable odorants released from the absorbent articles come from many sources. The secretions introduced into the products, such as urine, faeces, sweat, blood, may be a source of unpleasant odors.

There are many solutions to reduce odors in absorbent articles. In the solutions used, several most frequently used approaches can be distinguished. The first is to mask the resulting smell by introducing other substances with a pleasant smell into the products. The second approach is to incorporate pH controlling substances into the product solutions to slow down the odor-producing reactions. Another issue concerns the addition of chelating compounds to the products. These compounds complex enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown of substances in urine into volatile products with an unpleasant odor. Other additives are substances with a high surface area capable of "binding" the molecules of the fragrance compounds so that, if they are formed, they retain them in the middle of the product. Examples of such substances are silica or activated carbon. The main disadvantage of these solutions is the fact that they mask, limit or slow down the release of fragrances, instead of completely stopping the reactions of decomposition of human secretions to volatile substances. It is therefore an ineffective approach and works only in the short term. Therefore, another approach that started to be used was the addition of antibacterial substances, as it is the presence of bacteria that is indispensable in the process of releasing volatile substances from products.

In the case of a specific type of absorbent article - articles for incontinent sufferers, urine is the main source of odor. The chemical phenomena responsible for unpleasant urine begin with the decomposition of the urea contained in urine. Bacteria from the external environment and present in the excreted urine produce urease - an enzyme belonging to the group of aminohydrolases. Urease catalyzes the reaction of the hydrolytic decomposition of urea - CO (NH2) 2 to carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) - responsible for the formation of unpleasant odors. Moreover, under the influence of urease of positive bacteria, the urine pH changes to slightly alkaline (approx. 8). Such an environment promotes the proliferation of bacteria, which also generate unpleasant odors and promote the formation of infections.

EP 0 811 392 discloses an absorbent article with an odor control system with an additive based on a chelating agent. The combination of the odor control system of the chelating agent in the article with gas permeability through the absorbent article allows the level of undesirable odors released from the articles to be reduced. The chelating agent may be ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphoric acid (EDTMPA), ethylenediamine penta methylenephosphoric acid (EDPMPA). The chelating compounds in the described embodiment are to be added in an amount of 5-300 g / m ^{2 of} product, which is from 0.25-5 g per item of product.

From patent application EP 1438944 an absorbent article is known which comprises a coating with odor-controlling properties. The coating is applied in the form of an aqueous solution by spraying any component of the absorbent article. The active substance in the coating is the sodium salt of ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (Na3EDTA), the coating applied simultaneously does not cause discoloration, e.g. yellowing of the product component on which it is applied. The coating is applied to any component of the product in an amount of 5 g / m ² of that component.

From the patent number US 7868075 there is known a method of producing an absorbent resin with antibacterial properties. Antibacterial properties are introduced into the resin by adding to it a composition consisting of: a substance with a porous structure, an antibacterial metal and a metal chelating agent. The complexing agent is e.g. EDTA, DTPA, TTHA, the additive is from

PL 238 666 B1

0.001-15% of the product, while the used porous substance is zeolites with a size below 100 μm containing 2.7% silver, which is an antibacterial additive.

High levels of ethylenediaminitetraacetic acid (EDTA) may irritate the skin and mucous membranes. The aerosol form causes irritation of the conjunctiva or the nasopharyngeal cavity. While the concentrations used in patents EP 0811392, UP 7868075 in patent application EP 1438944 can be considered safe, long-term use of absorbent articles with EDTA addition, e.g. in the case of long-term use of products for people suffering from incontinent problems, may cause skin problems. In the case of using drugs containing metals, e.g. zinc, copper, iron, lead, aluminum, due to the binding of these elements by EDTA, it is not recommended to use, for example, cosmetics containing it.

From US Patent No. 6,369,290 an absorbent article is known containing a time-release anti-odor reducing composition. The composition is odorless in the dry state, while in the wet state, when moistened with secretions, it releases the desired fragrances. The powder composition contains a relatively small amount of perfume oils of 0.5% to 4% by weight. A small amount of oils prevents skin irritation. The fragrance oils are encapsulated in starch constituting 50% to 90% of the total weight of the additive. Another component of the composition is sodium bicarbonate in an amount ranging from 5% to 45% of the total weight of the additive. Sodium bicarbonate improves the condition of the skin by controlling the pH level of the mixture of fragrance oils, starch and the user's secretions. Moreover, each particle contains about 1 to 4% silicon dioxide. The total amount of the fragrance composition added to the disposable absorbent article depends on the type, size and purpose. In diaper pants, the amount of the odor control composition should be in the range of 0.1 to 30 grams (most preferably about 1.0 g).

The disadvantage of the discussed solution is the fact that the used additive can be used up faster than the absorbent article itself, which will result in an unpleasant smell when used for a long time, and on the other hand, the long-lasting smell of oils precludes the discreet use of the articles, which for obvious reasons may not be desirable due to users' point of view.

From US Patent No. 7,438,875, there is known a method of reducing odors using metal-modified silica particles. One claim includes an odor reduction method by modifying the silica surface with a transition metal such that the silica particles are bonded to the transition metal by a covalent or coordination bond. The method described in the claim consists in adding a transition metal or a salt thereof. In the case of metal, an organic functional silane is added to attach it to the silica. Further, the pH of the mixture is selectively adjusted to a value of 7 or more. The molar ratio of the components in the mixture should be at least 10: 1. The size of the silica is less than 100 nm. The method hereinafter involves contacting the modified silica particles with a fragrance and neutralizing it by a transition metal. The modified silica can be added to each of the layers of the product.

From the patent US 2009054859 there is known a method of reducing unpleasant odor by modifying silica particles with metal. The substance is claimed to reduce unpleasant odors. The substance in question contains silica bonded to a transition metal (Sc, Ti, Va, Cr, Mg, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zi, Ag, Au) so that the silica particles are bonded to the metal by a covalent or coordination bond. The silica used has a size less than 100 nm and constitutes 0.001% to 20% by weight of the product.

The physical parameters of the introduced substances are unfavorable both from the production and economic point of view and from the point of view of the user himself. In patent US 7438875, due to the properties of the additive used, it is necessary to add the substance in a 10: 1 molar ratio of metal to silica.

The object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article containing an additive that reduces the release of unpleasant odors therefrom. The additive works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria or reducing the activity of enzymes that catalyze the decomposition of urea into ammonia. Furthermore, the invention describes a method for incorporating an additive into an absorbent article.

The invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable inner layer, a liquid-impermeable outer layer and an absorbent core in the form of a single or double absorbent body, containing an additive to reduce the release of odors from an absorbent article, characterized in that the additive is

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- a combination of an active ingredient in the form of a metal such as silver with an excipient from the group of silicates such as silica, where the active ingredient and the excipient are not linked by a covalent or coordination bond, and the content of this combination in the absorbent article is from 0.01% by weight to 1% by weight, where the content of the active substance in this combination ranges from 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight, which is the content of the active substance in the absorbent article in the range from 0.0001% by weight to 0.01% by weight,

- or a compound from the group of hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as ascorbic acid, the content of this compound in the absorbent article being from 0.001% by weight to 1% by weight.

The silicate excipient has an average particle size of 150 nm to 250 nm. The silicates used in the discussed solution are an ideal carrier.

The additive according to the invention is present in the two-component variant as a combination of the metal active substance with an excipient from the silicate group and in the one-component variant in which the active substance is a compound from the group of hydroxycarboxylic acids.

The additives used are safe and do not cause skin irritation, which is a significant advantage over known solutions. The mechanism of action of the additive according to the invention consists in limiting the fragrance release to a level imperceptible by the user, which allows to increase the discretion of the absorbent article.

In the case of the first additive being a combination of metal and silicate, the active ingredient is metal. The active additive, through its antibacterial properties, inhibits the growth of bacteria present in the absorbent article and the user's secretions absorbed by the absorbent article. Due to the high activity of the metal in limiting bacterial growth, the already very low metal concentration of even a few ppm per absorbent article is an effective additive. As in a normal production run where the production speed of absorbent articles is as high as several hundred pieces per minute, it would be impossible to add metal in such small amounts without causing significant additive losses. There is therefore a need for an inexpensive active ingredient carrier.

The cost of silicates is low, silicates are a compound safe for the user, and the white color of the substance allows for additional benefits in the form of masking the color of the active substance. In addition, silicates, due to the low size of individual particles, have a highly developed surface capable of "binding" aroma compounds, which undoubtedly supports the process of controlling odors released from products, not so much by limiting the growth of bacteria, but by the mechanism of adsorption of volatile compounds molecules on their surface.

The effective concentration of metal silicate additive in a single piece of absorbent article is from 0.01% to 1% by weight of the absorbent article. The exact amount depends on the properties of the absorbent article, e.g. for an incontinent product or diaper pants, the optimal concentration will be in the range of 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of the article, preferably 0.1% by weight of the article.

Another possibility to select the optimal concentration of the additive is to change the active substance content in the added additive. However, the effective metal content of the additive will range from 0.1% to 10% by weight of the additive, thus the effective metal concentration per single item of absorbent article will be from 0.0001% to 0.01% by weight.

The additive, which is a compound from the group of hydroxycarboxylic acids, aims to reduce the activity of enzymes contributing to the decomposition of substances contained in the secretions introduced into absorbent articles.

The effective concentration of hydroxycarboxylic acids in the hygiene articles ranges from 0.001% to 1% by weight of the absorbent article. Also in this case, the optimal concentration of substances in the article will depend on the properties of the absorbent article, its mode of operation and the desired effects, e.g. 0.5% by weight of product, preferably 0.08% by weight of product.

The method of producing an absorbent article containing an odor-reducing additive comprising a combination of metal and silicon as defined above according to the invention, depending on the application of the absorbent article, consists in that the additive may be introduced directly into the absorbent article in the form of a powder or in the form of a solution. Due to the surface properties of silicates, the solvent of which, depending on the nature (e.g. hydrophyte), may be water or a mixture of water and alcohols: ethyl and isopropyl. Concentration

The amount of alcohol in the mixing ranges from 5% to 50%, and the volume ratio of ethyl alcohol to isopropyl alcohol is not less than 1: 1, e.g. in the case of absorbent products for people suffering from incontinence problems or diapers, the preferred content of the mixture of alcohols will be 20% with a 3: 2 volume ratio of ethyl alcohol to isopropyl alcohol.

In the case of an additive consisting of a compound from the group of hydroxycarboxylic acids, the proper form of incorporation into absorbent articles is in the form of a powder. This is mainly due to the fact that, for example, ascorbic acid is stable in powder form, while its dissolution in water accelerates its transformation into a biologically inactive form. In this particular case, ascorbic acid is reversibly oxidized to the dehydroxycarboxylic acid.

Both additives can be added to the products at the same time. In this case, the ranges for the amounts assumed for the individual components remain valid, that is, for metal with silicate: 0.01% to 1% by weight of the absorbent article, with a metal content of 0.1% to 10% by weight of additive, which for metal makes up from 0.0001% to 0.01% by weight of the absorbent article; for hydroxy acids: 0.001% to 1% by weight of the absorbent article.

Each of the additives is introduced into the absorbent article by dispensing it in a point in the central part of the article into at least one of the layers of the absorbent article selected from a top layer and a layer between the top sheet and the absorbent layer of the absorbent article. The insertion depth of each additive, be it on the upper absorbent body, directly below the cover fleece, or in the case of two absorbent bodies between the absorbent bodies of the absorbent article, is free. The selection of the optimal location for the attachment of the additive will depend on the design of the specific absorbent article. In the case of incontinent articles or diaper pants, it will be advantageous to place an additive on the top absorbent body and most preferably between the absorbent bodies in the absorbent article.

A second method of incorporating the additive or additives into the absorbent article is to mix the additive with one or all of the components of the absorbent body prior to its final shaping. An additive is introduced into the absorbent article by mixing it with cellulose in the absorbent core, or by mixing it with the superabsorbent component of the absorbent core or by mixing it with the cellulose-superabsorbent mixture of the absorbent core. The commonly used components of an absorbent article are cellulose and a polymeric superabsorbent, hence their presence in the developed claims, e.g. for incontinent articles or diaper pants, it will be advantageous to mix the additive with the superabsorbent.

The invention is illustrated without limiting its scope in the following examples:

P r z k ł a d 1

An additive limiting the release of unpleasant odors, consisting of a combination of silica and metal, was added to the incontinent products of Seni Standard Medium (mtotal = 88 g) manufactured on the technological line. A commercially available substance with the designation ITP 10KAg S1O2 HI from ITP System, which is a combination of silica with a particle size not exceeding 200 nm, with nanometric silver on the surface in the amount of ~ 1% by weight of the substance, was added to the product in its central part. The substance was spot-dispensed onto the lower absorbent body underneath the distribution paper. The substance was added by means of a pneumatic dispenser consisting of a dosing head, a control system and a container for the dosed substance by adding the dispenser to the technological line. About 0.095 g of the mixture (-0.1% by weight of the product) was added to each of the products. Thus, there was approximately 11 ppm of silver in each product (0.001% by weight of the product).

To confirm the effectiveness of the article produced in controlling odor release from the articles as described above, studies were carried out on the release of ammonia from artificial urine incorporated into articles as a function of time. The test was carried out in a sealed incubator equipped with a heating system, an air circulation system and two ammonia detectors. The incubator is a container with a plastic cover with dimensions of 50 x 80 x 30 cm (L x W x H). The heating system consists of a heating panel located at the bottom of the container, connected to an electronic control system outside the incubator, a thermocouple placed in the container connected to the control system. The heating system maintains a constant temperature of 37 ° C inside the incubator.

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Two electrochemical ammonia detectors by ALPA Sigma Progaz connected to an electronic control panel located outside the incubator were placed in the cover. A computer with software for reading the analyzers' indications is connected to the control panel. A computer fan with a diameter of about 8 cm is placed between the detectors, equalizing the concentration of gases inside the container.

About 4% urea solution was prepared in 1 deionized water. After dissolving the urea, urease was added to the solution in an amount equal to 1.5 U / ml of the solution. After mixing, the solution was slowly poured over the diaper-pants in its central part. The soaked diaper pants were placed in an incubator heated to 37 ° C. The incubator was tightly closed and the ammonia content inside it was measured for a minimum of another 8 hours.

For comparison, the standard product Seni Standard Medium without the addition of silica with metal was also tested according to the same methodology. Measurements for the standard variant and for the modified product were repeated twice. The measurement results are presented in Table 1.

Variant m ^ g In product msoi / Ai in product Series Camonbku [-1 backgrounds tel [-] [ppm] Standard 1 535 2 450 Modified 0.0095 0.095 1 twenty 2 15

Table 1. Summary of the results of studies on the release of ammonia from artificial urine placed in standard and modified products with the addition of silica with metal after 8 hours. Test temperature 37 ° C.

Example 2

Ascorbic acid, an additive limiting the release of unpleasant odors, was added to Super Seni Medium incontinent products (m _{C atk = 96 g) produced on the technological line.} Commercially available AS ascorbic acid by Stanlab was added to the product by mixing the appropriate amount of the substance in the form of a powder with a superabsorbent added to the absorbent core. The superabsorbent acid mixture was added to the hopper on the processing line. Further, in the normal course of product manufacturing, the mixture fed from the reservoir was combined with the cellulosic fibers to form an absorbent body. The acid was added in the amount of 0.08% per product, which was an addition of 0.077 g per product.

To confirm the effectiveness of the manufactured article in controlling odor release from the articles, studies of the ammonia release from artificial urine placed in the articles as a function of time were carried out.

The test was carried out according to the same methodology, using the same apparatus - described in Example 1. The time of a single measurement was 14 hours.

About 4% urea solution was prepared in 1 deionized water. After dissolving the urea, urease was added to the solution in an amount equal to 1.5 U / ml of the solution. After mixing, the solution was slowly poured over the diaper-pants in its central part. The soaked diaper pants were placed in an incubator heated to 37 ° C. The incubator was sealed and the ammonia content inside it was measured for a minimum of another 14 hours.

For comparison, according to the same methodology, the standard Super Seni Medium product without the addition of ascorbic acid was also tested. Measurements for the standard variant and for the modified product were repeated twice. The measurement results are presented in Table 2.

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Variant in the product msos / A # in product Series 0 ^ H. [loam IN H. [ppmj Standard 1 540 2 495 Modified 0.0095 0.095 1 * ”T ~ 227.5 250

Table 2. Summary of the results of studies on the release of ammonia from artificial urine placed in standard and modified products with the addition of ascorbic acid after 8 hours. Test temperature 37 ° C.

Claims (5)

1.Absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable inner layer, a liquid-impermeable outer layer and an absorbent core in the form of a single or double absorbent body, containing an odor-reducing additive from the absorbent article, characterized in that the additive is - a combination of a metal active ingredient such as silver with an excipient from the group of silicate silicates such as silica, whereby the active ingredient and the excipient are not linked by a covalent or coordination bond, and the content of this combination in the absorbent article is 0.01 % by weight to 1% by weight, wherein the content of the active substance in this combination is from 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight, which is the content of the active substance in the absorbent article in the range from 0.0001% by weight to 0.01% by weight, - or a compound from the group of hydroxycarboxylic acids such as ascorbic acid, the content of this compound in the absorbent article being from 0.001% by weight to 1% by weight, Absorbent article according to Claim 1, characterized in that the silicate excipient has an average particle size of 150 nm to 250 nm. A method of producing an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable inner layer, a liquid-impermeable outer layer and an absorbent core in the form of a single or double absorbent body, containing an odor reducing additive, characterized in that the additive according to Claim 1, 1 to 2, are introduced into an absorbent article by dispensing it in the central part of the article into at least one of the layers of the absorbent article selected from the top layer and the layer located between the top layer and the absorbent layer of the article, or by mixing it with cellulose constituting the core absorbent either by mixing it with the superabsorbent component of the absorbent core or by mixing it with the mixture of cellulose and superabsorbent component of the absorbent core. 4. Method for producing an absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that an additive consisting of metal and an excipient from the group of silicates is introduced into the absorbent article in the form of a powder or solution in which the solvent is water or a mixture of water and ethyl and isopropyl alcohols. , wherein the concentration of the alcohol in blending ranges from 5% to 50%, and the ratio by volume of ethyl alcohol to isopropyl alcohol is not less than 1: 1. 5. Method for producing an absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that an additive consisting of a compound from the group of hydroxycarboxylic acids is introduced into the absorbent article in the form of a powder.