Absorbent Article Venting Through Hydrophilic Nonwoven Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles face issues with moisture retention due to hydrophobic exterior sheets inhibiting moisture evaporation, erroneous indicator detection with hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics, and attachment peeling off due to hydrophilic oil agents.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article design includes a breathable film on the non-skin side with a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric overlapping in the thickness direction, and in some cases, a liquid-impermeable film with a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and indicator arrangement to prevent moisture transfer to the skin side and enhance attachment stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydrophobic exterior sheet member is provided on the non-skin side of the breathable film, then the exterior sheet provides structural support and liquid impermeability, but moisture evaporation is inhibited and moisture remains trapped inside the absorbent article
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior sheet is divided into two regions with different hydrophilicity: a first region (closer to skin side) with lower hydrophilicity providing liquid impermeability, and a second region (closer to non-skin side) with higher hydrophilicity promoting moisture evaporation. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific function while working together to resolve the contradiction between liquid impermeability and moisture discharge.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is used as the exterior sheet, then moisture evaporation is promoted, but indicators may erroneously detect sweat moisture as excrement
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior sheet uses different hydrophilicity regions to control moisture movement: the first region with lower hydrophilicity acts as a barrier preventing sweat moisture from reaching the indicator, while the second region with higher hydrophilicity allows excrement moisture to reach the indicator for accurate detection. This spatial differentiation of hydrophilic properties resolves the contradiction between moisture discharge and detection accuracy.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrophilic oil agent is included in the exterior sheet to enhance hydrophilicity, then moisture evaporation is improved, but attachments are more likely to peel off from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior sheet applies hydrophilic oil agent selectively to specific regions (particularly the second region closer to non-skin side) rather than uniformly across the entire sheet. This localized application promotes moisture evaporation where needed while preserving attachment stability in regions where attachments are applied, resolving the contradiction between enhanced hydrophilicity and attachment stability.
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 promotes moisture discharge, reduces erroneous indicator detection, and minimizes attachment peeling, enhancing user comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
moisture such as urine absorbed by the absorbent core is made to permeate the breathable film as water vapor and to be evaporated to the outside
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric whose hydrophilicity is enhanced by including a hydrophilic oil agent
Implementation Method 3
moisture such as urine absorbed by the absorbent core is made to permeate the breathable film as water vapor
Data Source
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AI summary
An absorbent article (1) includes an absorbent body (10) comprising a liquid-absorbing absorbent core (11) and an air-permeable film (13a) provided further to the non-skin side than the absorbent core (11). The absorbent article (1) includes a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric (32, 42) further to the non-skin side than the air-permeable film (13a), and the absorbent core (11), the air-permeable film (13a), and the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric (32, 42) at least partially overlap when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent body (10).