Absorbent Article Layering for Rapid Fluid Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles with sheet-shaped absorbent layers lacking pulp fibers are unable to rapidly absorb large volumes of bodily fluids, such as urine, and when laminated, their absorptive capacity is compromised, making them less effective in thin forms.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article design featuring a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent laminate with an upper sheet-shaped absorbent layer, a fiber assembly layer containing pulp fibers, and a lower sheet-shaped absorbent layer, where the upper and lower layers contain absorbent polymers but no pulp fibers between nonwoven fabric sheets, allowing for rapid fluid absorption through strategically placed absorbent polymer absent regions and heat-sealing to facilitate fluid spread and permeation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sheet-shaped absorbent layers are laminated to increase absorptive capacity, then the total absorption amount increases, but the absorption rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first sheet-shaped absorbent layer for rapid initial absorption, a second sheet-shaped absorbent layer for additional absorption capacity, and a fiber assembly layer interposed between them to facilitate fluid distribution. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, maintaining high absorption rate while achieving high total absorptive capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
A fiber assembly layer is introduced as an intermediary between the two sheet-shaped absorbent layers. This intermediate layer receives bodily fluid from the first sheet-shaped absorbent layer and distributes it to the second sheet-shaped absorbent layer, preventing direct contact between the polymer layers and ensuring rapid fluid transfer while maintaining high absorption capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If absorbent polymer content is increased to enhance absorption capacity, then the absorptive capacity increases, but the article thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core uses a composite structure combining sheet-shaped absorbent layers made of absorbent polymer with a fiber assembly layer. This composite material approach allows the thin sheet-shaped layers to provide high absorption capacity per unit thickness, while the fiber assembly layer adds functional benefits without significantly increasing overall thickness, achieving high absorptive capacity in a thin profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs thin sheet-shaped absorbent layers with high polymer content that maintain flexibility and thinness while providing high absorption capacity. These thin film structures allow the article to remain thin overall while achieving high absorptive capacity through the concentrated polymer content in the sheet layers.
3Length of stationary object
If sheet-shaped absorbent layers without pulp fibers are used to reduce thickness, then the article can be formed thin, but the rapid absorption of large volumes of bodily fluid is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent system is segmented into multiple thin sheet-shaped absorbent layers and a fiber assembly layer, each with specific functions. The sheet-shaped layers provide rapid initial absorption and the fiber assembly layer provides rapid fluid distribution, collectively achieving rapid absorption of large volumes without increasing article thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite absorbent structure combining thin sheet-shaped absorbent layers with high polymer content and a fiber assembly layer. This composite material system leverages the rapid absorption properties of the polymer-rich thin sheets and the distribution capabilities of the fiber layer, achieving both thinness and rapid absorption capability.
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
This design enables rapid absorption of bodily fluids while maintaining a thin profile with high absorptive capacity, preventing fluid return to the skin and enhancing the overall performance of the absorbent article.
Implementation Method 1
each of the upper sheet-shaped absorbent layer and the lower sheet-shaped absorbent layer contains an absorbent polymer
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent polymer is provided in an absorbent polymer present region, and an absorbent polymer absent region adjacent to the absorbent polymer present region
Implementation Method 3
the nonwoven fabric sheets are joined together at the absorbent polymer absent region to form a sealing portion
Implementation Method 4
the bodily fluid diffuses in the fiber assembly layer
Implementation Method 5
the fiber assembly layer contains pulp fibers
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
An absorbent article comprising a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent laminate disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein: the absorbent laminate comprises an upper sheet-shaped absorbent layer, a fiber assembly layer and a lower sheet-shaped absorbent layer provided in this order from the top sheet side; the fiber assembly layer contains pulp fibers; and each of the upper sheet-shaped absorbent layer and the lower sheet-shaped absorbent layer contains an absorbent polymer but does not contain a pulp fiber between nonwoven fabric sheets.