Absorbent Article Groove Design for High Viscosity Liquid Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles face issues with liquid leak due to the slow absorption of high viscosity fluids, which clog grooves and lead to leakage, and are prone to top-sheet breakage from excessive compression during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article design featuring a top-surface groove and a back-surface groove with recessed portions, where the absorber has higher density between the top-surface groove and the recessed portion of the back-surface groove, facilitating faster absorption of high viscosity liquids and reducing strain on the top-sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excessive compression is applied to form grooves in the topsheet and absorber, then the absorbability of the absorber is enhanced by enlarging the high density portion, but the topsheet is easily torn along the groove due to increased strain
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure is segmented into two distinct grooves: a first groove formed in the topsheet and a second groove formed in the absorber. This segmentation allows the compression to be distributed differently across the topsheet and absorber, enhancing absorbability in the absorber without excessively straining the topsheet.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compression levels are applied to different regions: the absorber receives higher compression to create high density portions for enhanced absorbability, while the topsheet receives controlled compression to prevent tearing. The groove structures are localized to specific areas rather than uniform compression across the entire assembly.
2Reliability
If small grooves are formed in the bottom portion of the groove to increase absorber density in a stepwise manner, then absorbability is improved, but thick liquids take longer to reach the bottom portions and clog the grooves, allowing thin liquids to spread and leak
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of only increasing density at the bottom portion (one-dimensional approach), the invention creates a three-dimensional groove structure with a first groove in the topsheet and a second groove in the absorber. This multi-dimensional approach provides multiple pathways for liquid absorption, preventing clogging while maintaining high absorbability.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption function is segmented into two distinct groove structures: the first groove in the topsheet provides initial liquid distribution, while the second groove in the absorber provides deep absorption capacity. This segmentation prevents liquid clogging by distributing liquid flow across multiple levels and pathways.
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 absorbability for high viscosity liquids, preventing leaks and making the absorbent article more resistant to top-sheet breakage, while maintaining flexibility and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an absorber interposed between the topsheet and the liquid impermeable sheet and configured to absorb liquid
Implementation Method 2
an absorber interposed between the topsheet and the liquid impermeable sheet and configured to absorb liquid
Implementation Method 3
Since the groove is formed by a compression process, an absorber has a higher density at a portion between the bottom portion of the groove and a backsheet than at a portion where the groove is not formed
Data Source
AI summary
A compressed portion is formed in the absorbent article by compressing the absorber through a compression process. The compressed portion has a top-surface groove formed on the skin-contact-surface side, and a back-surface groove formed on the clothing-contact-surface side. A bottom portion of the top-surface groove is flat. Since the recessed portions are formed in the bottom portion of the back-surface groove through the compression process, a compression part where the density of the absorber is increased more than in an uncompressed portion and high compression parts where the density of the absorber is increased more than in the compression part are formed in the bottom portion. Thus, the absorbent article can be permeate into by a thick liquid, and is more likely to absorb liquid.