Absorbent Article Water-Repellent Surface Layer Pulp Disintegration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent articles that contain hydrophobic fibers do not disintegrate immediately when absorbing liquid, leading to potential clogging of toilet piping when flushed, as they take a long time to disintegrate in water.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent article with a pulp layer containing crushed pulp and a water-repellent surface layer, formed by applying a water-repellent agent to specific surface portions, which absorbs small amounts of liquid without disintegrating and prevents toilet piping clogging when flushed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrophobic fibers are used in the absorbent article to absorb liquid, then liquid absorption capability is improved, but disintegration speed in water deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid absorption capabilityVSAvoiddisintegration speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article is divided into two distinct functional layers: a surface sheet layer containing hydrophobic fibers for liquid absorption, and a back sheet layer containing hydrophilic fibers for rapid disintegration. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the absorbent article have different material properties: the surface sheet layer uses hydrophobic fibers for absorption, while the back sheet layer uses hydrophilic fibers for disintegration. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between absorption capability and disintegration speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the absorbent article is made compact and thin for wearability, then comfort and discretion are improved, but flushing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewearabilityVSAvoidtoilet piping clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compact absorbent article structure is maintained while the back sheet layer is specifically designed with hydrophilic fibers that rapidly disintegrate in water. This segmentation ensures that despite the compact thickness, the article breaks down quickly during flushing, preventing piping clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The back sheet layer uses hydrophilic fibers with different material parameters compared to the surface sheet layer. This parameter change in fiber hydrophilicity enables rapid disintegration in water, resolving the conflict between compact wearability and flushing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hydrophobic fibers are used to prevent liquid penetration, then liquid containment is improved, but disintegration in water deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid containmentVSAvoiddisintegration speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article is segmented into a surface sheet layer with hydrophobic fibers for liquid containment and a back sheet layer with hydrophilic fibers for rapid disintegration. Each layer maintains its specific function: the surface layer contains liquid while the back layer ensures quick breakdown in water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different local regions have different fiber properties: the surface sheet layer uses hydrophobic fibers for containment, while the back sheet layer uses hydrophilic fibers for disintegration. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between containment reliability and disintegration speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 absorbent article effectively absorbs small amounts of liquid without disintegrating, preventing toilet piping clogging while allowing rapid disintegration in water when immersed, ensuring efficient flushing without plumbing issues.

Implementation Method 1

a water-repellent surface layer portion formed by applying a water-repellent agent to one surface layer portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater-repellent agent: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11364154B2Absorbent article

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 SELF SETTLED TRUST OF YAMADA KIKUO

AI summary

In order to absorb a small amount of liquid, to prevent an absorbent article from being disintegrated by the absorbed liquid, and to prevent piping of a toilet from being clogged even if the absorbent article is flushed into a flush toilet, the absorbent article includes a pulp layer containing a crushed pulp or fibers mainly containing a crushed pulp, and the pulp layer has a water repellent surface layer portion formed by applying a water repellent agent to at least one surface layer portion.