Absorbent Article Friction Reducing Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent articles do not adequately address friction between the article and the skin, leading to discomfort, itchiness, and pain, especially during movements like walking, due to lack of consideration for skin friction in their design.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a friction reducing layer between the impermeable back sheet and the absorbing part, utilizing materials like silicone resin, fluororesin, or polyacetal resin, or applying a friction reducing treatment to the back sheet or absorbing part to reduce friction between these components, allowing them to slide relative to each other.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the absorbent article is made with stretchable components to accommodate body movement, then the article can expand and contract with underwear movement, but friction between the article and skin increases causing discomfort and pain

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestretchabilityVSAvoidfriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A friction reducing layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the back sheet and the absorbing part. This layer is made of low-friction materials such as silicone resin, fluororesin, or polyacetal resin, which mediate the interaction between the stretchable back sheet and the absorbing part, reducing friction while allowing the article to accommodate body movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent article uses composite materials combining stretchable polymers for the back sheet with low-friction materials for the friction reducing layer. This composite structure provides both the necessary stretchability to accommodate body movement and the low-friction surface to prevent skin discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a friction reducing layer is added to reduce skin friction, then wear comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefrictionVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction reducing layer is merged with either the back sheet or the absorbing part through lamination or direct application. This integration approach reduces device complexity by combining multiple functions into fewer components while still providing the friction-reducing benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction reducing layer is applied selectively to specific areas where friction is most problematic, such as the portions of the back sheet that contact the skin during movement. This localized application reduces the overall complexity compared to treating the entire article uniformly.

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 solution significantly enhances wear comfort by reducing friction between the absorbent article and the skin, preventing discomfort and potential pain, while maintaining the absorbent article's functionality and stability.

Implementation Method 1

a friction reducing layer disposed between the back sheet and the absorbing part. The friction between the friction reducing layer and the back sheet or the friction between the friction reducing layer and the absorbing part is less than the friction between the absorbing part and the back sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3858318B1Absorbent article
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 DAIO PAPER CORP
  • EP3858318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858318B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3858318B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

An absorbent article includes a permeable top sheet, an impermeable back sheet, an absorbing part disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a friction reducing layer disposed between the back sheet and the absorbing part. The friction between the friction reducing layer and the back sheet or the friction between the friction reducing layer and the absorbing part is less than the friction between the absorbing part and the back sheet.