Asymmetric Core Wrap Sheet for Absorbent Article Dryness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent articles with thin absorbent cores lacking cellulose fibers have a shorter distance between the absorbent polymer and the wearer's skin, leading to increased likelihood of liquid residue and decreased dry feeling, potentially causing skin rash.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent article design featuring an absorbent core with absorbent polymer and minimal hydrophilic fibers, where the upper core wrap sheet has a thicker region than the lower core wrap sheet to maintain dryness and prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the absorbent core is thinned by decreasing cellulose fibers, then flexibility and fit are improved, but liquid remaining increases and dry feeling decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidliquid remaining
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The core wrap sheet is designed with different thicknesses at different locations: a first thickness in the crotch region and a second thickness (greater than the first) in the waist region. This local differentiation allows the waist area to retain more liquid absorption capacity and provide better dry feeling, while the crotch area maintains flexibility and fit, thus resolving the contradiction between thinning for flexibility and maintaining dry feeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If the absorbent core is thinned by decreasing cellulose fibers, then fit against body is improved, but distance to skin decreases causing skin rash risk

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefitVSAvoidskin rash risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The core wrap sheet provides localized cushioning between the absorbent core and the wearer's skin, particularly in the waist region where greater thickness is provided. This creates a protective buffer zone that maintains skin distance and reduces rash risk, while allowing the overall absorbent core to remain thin for good fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the upper core wrap sheet is made thicker, then dry feeling is maintained, but overall thickness increases reducing fit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedry feelingVSAvoidfit
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The core wrap sheet is designed with non-uniform thickness, providing greater thickness only in the waist region where dry feeling is most needed, while keeping the crotch region thinner to maintain flexibility and fit. This localized approach maintains dry feeling without compromising overall fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The core wrap sheet exhibits asymmetric thickness distribution, with the waist region having greater thickness than the crotch region. This asymmetric design optimizes the balance between maintaining dry feeling in the waist area and preserving flexibility and fit in the crotch area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design enhances fit and dry feeling on the skin-facing surface while preventing liquid leakage, reducing the risk of skin rash.

Implementation Method 1

absorbent polymer absorbing and retaining bodily discharge liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

intrafiber fluid transport

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

interfiber fluid transport

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid transport: Advection

Data Source

PatentEP2630939B1Absorbent article
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 KAO CORP
  • EP2630939B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2630939B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(b)
  • EP2630939B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~5(d)

AI summary

An absorbent article (1) of the present invention includes a topsheet (2) which forms a skin-facing face, a backsheet (3) which forms a non-skin-facing face, and an absorbent member (4) which is arranged between both the sheets (2), (3). The absorbent member (4) is structured to include an absorbent core (40) which contains absorbent polymer without substantially containing hydrophilic fibers, an upper core wrap sheet (45) which covers a skin-facing face of the absorbent core (40), and a lower core wrap sheet (46) which covers a non-skin-facing face of the absorbent core (40). The upper core wrap sheet (45) includes a thick region having a larger thickness than the lower core wrap sheet (46).