Absorbent Article Fold Line Visibility Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles, such as incontinence pads and sanitary napkins, often leave a visible trace of the fold line when folded, which can affect their wearing feel and handling.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article design featuring a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent laminate with a fiber assembly layer containing pulp fibers and a sheet-shaped absorbent layer without pulp fibers, where the fiber assembly layer has a longitudinal opening that crosses the fold line, reducing pressure and visibility of the fold line when folded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the absorbent article is folded to enable compact packaging and carrying, then the portability and packaging efficiency are improved, but a visible trace of the fold line remains on the absorbent article surface
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent laminate is segmented into two functional layers: a sheet-shaped absorbent layer and a fiber assembly layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the sheet-shaped layer provides a smooth surface that resists fold line traces, while the fiber assembly layer provides bulk and absorbency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the absorbent article. The sheet-shaped absorbent layer has a smooth, uniform structure that prevents fold line traces, while the fiber assembly layer has a more porous structure for absorbency. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between compact folding and smooth surface appearance.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional absorbent laminate structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the fold line trace remains visible and the wearing feel is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a sheet-shaped absorbent layer and a fiber assembly layer. This composite material approach combines the advantages of both layers: the sheet-shaped layer provides a smooth surface for good wearing feel, while the fiber assembly layer provides bulk absorbency. The composite structure can be manufactured using conventional lamination processes.
3Strength
If the absorbent article uses a uniform laminate structure, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the fold line trace is prominent and the article is bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent laminate is divided into two distinct layers with different functions. The sheet-shaped absorbent layer maintains structural integrity and provides a smooth surface, while the fiber assembly layer provides bulk absorbency. This segmentation allows the article to be folded compactly without prominent fold lines while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet-shaped absorbent layer acts as a flexible thin film that resists fold line formation. This layer provides a smooth, continuous surface that can be folded without creating prominent traces, while still maintaining the necessary structural integrity of the absorbent article.
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 design minimizes the visibility of the fold line when unfolded, improving the wearing feel and handling of the absorbent article by reducing pressure and bulkiness, while allowing for easier folding and packaging.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet-shaped absorbent layer receives at the fold line from circumferences is reduced, whereby the fold line is less likely to remain in the sheet-shaped absorbent layer
Implementation Method 2
the fiber assembly layer has the opening on the fold line, the sheet-shaped absorbent layer comes to be folded at a part where the opening overlaps, and as a result, the pressure which the sheet-shaped absorbent layer receives at the fold line from circumferences is further reduced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body including a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent laminate disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein: the absorbent body has a longitudinal direction and a width direction; the absorbent laminate comprises a fiber assembly layer containing pulp fibers, and a sheet-shaped absorbent layer containing an absorbent polymer but not containing a pulp fiber between nonwoven fabric sheets; the absorbent article is folded at a fold line extending in the width direction; and the fiber assembly layer has an opening on the fold line.