Absorbent Core Channels with Irregular Glue Stripes for Swelling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles with elongated channels in the absorbent core face challenges such as reduced fluid absorption capacity and kinetic absorption due to channel constraints, particularly in the crotch region, which can lead to slower liquid distribution and increased wet sagging.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent core features an irregular auxiliary glue pattern with varying bond strength along the elongated channels, comprising parallel glue stripes of different widths and gaps, ensuring higher bond strength in the front and crotch sections while maintaining a weaker bond in the intermediate section to manage swelling pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If elongated channels are provided in the absorbent core, then liquid distribution speed is improved, but fluid absorption capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The channel bond is segmented into different sections with varying bond strengths: strong bonds in front and crotch sections, weak bonds in intermediate sections. This segmentation allows the channel to maintain structural integrity where needed while allowing controlled delamination in intermediate sections to preserve absorbent capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the channel have different bond strengths tailored to their specific functional requirements. The front and crotch sections have strong bonds to maintain channel structure and liquid distribution, while intermediate sections have weak bonds to allow delamination and preserve absorbent material capacity.
2Strength
If channels are bonded strongly throughout, then channel durability is improved, but absorbent material capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The channel bond is divided into segments with different strengths: strong bonds in front and crotch sections where durability is critical, and weak bonds in intermediate sections where absorbent capacity is prioritized. This selective bonding approach optimizes both channel strength and absorbent material capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bond strength is locally optimized for different channel sections. Front and crotch sections have strong bonding to withstand mechanical stress and maintain channel integrity, while intermediate sections have weak bonding to allow controlled delamination, preserving absorbent material capacity and reducing wet sagging.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform glue stripes are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but swelling pressure management is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The glue stripe pattern varies by location: wider stripes and smaller gaps in front and crotch sections for strong bonding, narrower stripes and larger gaps in intermediate sections for weak bonding. This local variation optimizes swelling pressure management while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The glue stripe pattern is asymmetric and non-uniform, with different stripe widths and gap sizes in different sections of the channel. This asymmetric design allows differential bond strength to manage swelling pressure effectively, preventing delamination in critical sections while allowing it in intermediate sections.
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 enhances fluid handling capabilities, reduces leakage, and optimizes absorbent material usage by allowing controlled delamination at the intermediate section, thereby improving overall absorbency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The channel comprises a channel bond between the core wrap top layer and the core wrap bottom layer, and the channel bond is at least partially formed by the auxiliary glue
Implementation Method 2
The auxiliary glue comprises a plurality of parallel auxiliary glue stripes, with two adjacent stripes being separated by a gap. The auxiliary glue stripes comprise an irregular pattern... at least two stripes and/or two gaps between adjacent stripes are different
Implementation Method 3
The absorbent material has typically been a mixture of cellulose fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles
Implementation Method 4
These channels can help quickly distributing urine along their length to better use the absorbent capacity of the absorbent core
Implementation Method 5
the delamination pressure of the swollen neighboring superabsorbent material
Data Source
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AI summary
A personal hygiene absorbent article (20) such as a diaper the article comprising a topsheet (24), a backsheet (25) and an absorbent core (28) between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising a core wrap top layer (45), a core wrap bottom layer (46), an absorbent material layer (60) between the core wrap top layer and bottom layer, wherein the absorbent layer comprises at least one elongated absorbent material-free channel (26), and an auxiliary glue (70) disposed between the absorbent material and at least one of the core wrap top layer or bottom layer. The channel comprises a channel bond (27) between the core wrap top layer (45) and the core wrap bottom layer (46), and the channel bond is at least partially formed by the auxiliary glue (70), wherein the auxiliary glue comprises a plurality of parallel auxiliary glue stripes, in particular longitudinally-oriented stripes (82, 84), wherein two adjacent stripes are separated by a gap (86, 88). The auxiliary glue stripes comprise an irregular pattern.