Absorbent Core Segmentation for Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent articles for personal hygiene face challenges in effectively managing urine and feces, leading to leakage and discomfort due to the expansion of absorbent cores, which can cause barrier leg cuffs to detach and lose contact with the skin, and existing solutions do not adequately address these issues.

Innovation Solution

The absorbent article incorporates a liquid permeable material and a liquid impermeable material with an absorbent core containing at least 85% superabsorbent polymers and a liquid management system free of superabsorbent polymers, featuring channels that extend through the thickness of the materials to improve urine and feces management and prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the absorbent core is made with high absorbent capacity materials, then the absorbent capacity is improved, but the absorbent core expands and causes the barrier leg cuffs to detach from the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorbent capacityVSAvoidbarrier leg cuffs contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent core is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first zone containing superabsorbent polymer particles for rapid urine absorption, and a second zone containing comminuted wood pulp for feces management. This segmentation allows different materials to handle different types of exudates, preventing uniform expansion that would detach the barrier leg cuffs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the absorbent core are assigned different material compositions tailored to specific functions. The first zone uses SAP for high-capacity urine absorption, while the second zone uses wood pulp for feces containment. This local differentiation optimizes performance in each region without causing overall core expansion that would compromise barrier leg cuffs contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the absorbent core expands to increase absorbent capacity, then the absorbent capacity is improved, but the acquisition layer detaches or separates from the absorbent core

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorbent capacityVSAvoidacquisition layer attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The acquisition layer is designed with preliminary attachment features that secure it to the absorbent core before expansion occurs. The layer includes structural elements that maintain connection during the expansion process, preventing detachment even as the core increases in volume to provide high absorbent capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the absorbent article is designed to handle both urine and feces, then the versatility is improved, but the leakage prevention and comfort are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine and feces managementVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent core is divided into distinct zones: a first zone with superabsorbent polymer particles optimized for urine absorption, and a second zone with comminuted wood pulp optimized for feces management. This segmentation allows each zone to handle its designated exudate type effectively, maintaining leakage prevention while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each zone of the absorbent core has locally optimized material properties. The SAP-rich first zone provides rapid urine uptake and retention, while the wood pulp-rich second zone provides structured feces containment. This local quality differentiation enables the single product to reliably handle both urine and feces without compromise.

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

This design enhances the absorbent article's ability to manage both urine and feces efficiently, reducing the risk of leakage and improving comfort by maintaining the barrier leg cuffs' contact with the skin, even as the absorbent core expands.

Implementation Method 1

The absorbent material comprises at least 85% of superabsorbent polymers by weight of the absorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the absorbent core may expand several times its weight and volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS11612523B2Absorbent articles with channels

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a liquid management system (LMS) and an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate a topsheet and a backsheet. The LMS defines one or more channels therein. The one or more channels of the LMS may at least partially overlap or not overlap with channels defined in the absorbent core.