Absorbent Article Spacer Element for Liquid Routing and Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable absorbent articles face challenges in achieving a balance between flexibility, thinness, and effective liquid absorption and distribution while maintaining structural integrity, leading to issues such as leakage and high rewet values.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of spacer elements between the topsheet and backsheet to guide liquid towards the absorbent material, creating channels for improved distribution and absorption, while using materials that absorb less liquid than the absorbent material, thereby reducing volume expansion and minimizing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the amount of cellulose fiber or support material is reduced to make the absorbent structure thinner and lighter, then the flexibility and thinness are improved, but the structural integrity and liquid distribution capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent structure is segmented into multiple functional layers including a topsheet, absorbent polymer material layer, and backsheet, with the polymer material serving as both the absorbent core and structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, achieving thinness while maintaining integrity through the cohesive polymer network.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by using absorbent polymer material with specific physical properties (particle size, expansion ratio, absorption capacity) to replace traditional cellulose fiber support. This parameter change enables the polymer material to provide both absorption function and structural integrity in a thinner configuration.
2Quantity of substance
If larger amounts of absorbent polymer material are used to compensate for reduced cellulose fiber, then the liquid storage capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent polymer material is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the primary absorbent core, provides structural support replacing cellulose fiber, enables liquid distribution through its particle network, and maintains coherence of the absorbent structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional materials while achieving equivalent or superior performance.
3Length of moving object
If the proportion of hydrophilic cellulose fibres is reduced to achieve thinness, then the thinness and flexibility are improved, but the liquid absorption and distribution performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the hydrophilicity parameters by selecting absorbent polymer materials with high water affinity and optimized particle characteristics. The polymer material's ability to rapidly absorb and distribute liquid is enhanced through controlled particle size distribution and surface properties, compensating for the reduced cellulose content while maintaining thinness.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent polymer material utilizes its porous internal structure to facilitate rapid liquid absorption and distribution. The porous network allows quick liquid penetration and capillary-driven distribution throughout the thin absorbent structure, replacing the liquid transport function previously provided by cellulose fiber networks.
4Weight of moving object
If the absorbent structure is made thinner and lighter for better wearability and distribution, then the wearing comfort and transportation cost are improved, but the coherence and retention performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent structure utilizes composite material design where the absorbent polymer material is combined with a minimal amount of cellulose fiber or other support material to create a cohesive network. This composite structure provides both the weight reduction benefits of polymer-dominated composition and the coherence benefits of fibrous reinforcement, achieving lightweight design without sacrificing reliability.
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
Enhances liquid distribution and absorption capabilities, reduces leakage, and simplifies manufacturing processes while lowering costs, resulting in a more stable and efficient absorbent article.
Implementation Method 1
The first spacer element is configured to guide liquid to the absorbent material upon wetting of the absorbent article
Implementation Method 2
The absorbent material extends along at least two opposite lateral sides of the first spacer element
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article having a front edge intended to be positioned at a front side of a person and a rear edge intended to be positioned at a rear side of a person, said absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent material between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein at least a first spacer element is included between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein the first spacer element has a top side facing the topsheet, a bottom side facing the backsheet, and a number of lateral sides between the top and the bottom side, and wherein the absorbent material extends along at least two opposite lateral sides of the first spacer element; said first spacer element being configured to guide liquid to the absorbent material upon wetting of the absorbent article.