Absorbent Element with Hexagonal Pockets for Sanitary Products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent cores for sanitary articles face challenges in achieving optimal liquid acquisition, distribution, and retention, particularly with high concentrations of superabsorbent materials, which can lead to 'gel-blocking' and inefficient liquid absorption.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent element with a layered structure comprising permeable non-woven fabric layers connected by adhesive, featuring hexagonal cavities for superabsorbent material distribution, utilizing hydrosoluble glue to allow expansion and prevent occlusion, and a compliant top layer for deformation and efficient liquid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of superabsorbent material are used in the absorbent core, then liquid retention capacity is improved, but gel-blocking occurs which prevents further liquid acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is divided into multiple compartments or zones with different material compositions. Superabsorbent material is concentrated in specific retention zones while acquisition zones use more traditional fluff materials, preventing gel-blocking while maintaining high overall retention capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the absorbent core have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The acquisition zones use materials with lower absorbency to prevent gel-blocking, while retention zones use high-concentration superabsorbent material for maximum liquid storage.
2Quantity of substance
If superabsorbent material concentration is increased to improve retention, then liquid acquisition speed decreases due to gel-blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The core is segmented into acquisition zones with fast-absorbing materials and retention zones with high-capacity superabsorbent material. This allows rapid liquid uptake in acquisition zones without gel-blocking, followed by transfer to retention zones for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
A distribution layer or intermediary material is introduced between the liquid source and the superabsorbent material. This intermediary facilitates rapid liquid distribution while preventing direct contact that would cause gel-blocking in high-concentration superabsorbent material zones.
3Ease of operation
If traditional cellulose fluff is used for liquid acquisition, then liquid distribution is improved, but overall retention capacity is limited compared to superabsorbent material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges traditional cellulose fluff materials with superabsorbent materials in a multi-zone configuration. Cellulose fluff provides excellent liquid distribution and acquisition, while superabsorbent material zones provide high-capacity retention, achieving both benefits simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent core uses composite material structures combining different fiber types and superabsorbent materials. This composite approach leverages the distribution capabilities of cellulose fluff and the retention capabilities of superabsorbent materials to achieve superior overall performance.
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 solution enhances liquid acquisition and retention, prevents gel-blocking, and ensures uniform absorption, maintaining high absorbency and anatomical conformity, even with high superabsorbent material concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
superabsorbent materials are hydrogelling materials capable of absorbing and capturing the liquid in a practically stable way
Implementation Method 2
by swelling, the granules of superabsorbent material create a barrier to the liquids
Implementation Method 3
two laminar elements or layers of sheet material (10, 12) connected to one another (according to modalities better described in what follows) by a layer of adhesive (14)
Implementation Method 4
utilizing hydrosoluble glue to allow expansion and prevent occlusion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~10
AI summary
An absorbent element for the absorption of body fluids in sanitary articles comprises a first layer of sheet material presenting an array of hollowed formations (16) with respective mouth parts, as well as masses (18) of superabsorbent material that is able to expand as a result of the absorption of body fluid, which are set in the aforesaid hollowed formations (16). A second layer of sheet material (12) is applied on the first layer of sheet material (10) so as to cover the mouth parts of the hollowed formations (16). At least one of the layers of sheet material (10, 12) is permeable to body fluids to enable the body fluids themselves to penetrate into the hollowed formations and be absorbed by the masses of superabsorbent material (18) that expand in the hollowed formations (16), creating a first level of absorption of body fluids. The second layer of sheet material (12) is compliant in an area corresponding to the mouth parts of the hollowed formations (16) and enables further expansion of said masses of superabsorbent material (18) beyond said hollowed formations (16) so as to create a second level of absorption of body fluids. The first layer (10) and the second layer (12) of sheet material are connected to one another by adhesive formations (14c) that leave the mouth parts of the hollowed formations (16) at least partially free.