Absorbent Article Liquid Management Structure for Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable absorbent articles face challenges in achieving a balance between being thin, flexible, and lightweight while maintaining effective liquid absorption, distribution, and retention properties, often resulting in issues like leakages and high rewet values due to insufficient structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article design features a liquid management structure that covers at least a surface portion of the absorbent material, with connecting portions attached to a bottom core wrap sheet, creating channel zones for efficient liquid distribution and absorption, eliminating the need for a prior art top core wrap sheet and reducing raw material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the amount of cellulose fibre or other support material is reduced and/or larger amounts of absorbent polymer materials are used, then the absorbent article becomes thinner, more flexible, and lightweight, but the structural integrity is compromised resulting in leakages and high rewet values
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid management structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides structural support to maintain structural integrity, creates channels for liquid distribution, and acts as a confinement barrier. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate support structures and reduces overall material usage while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid management structure employs localized variations in material properties and structure: the channel zones have different permeability characteristics compared to the confinement zones, allowing optimized liquid distribution in specific areas while maintaining structural integrity in other regions. This local differentiation enables efficient liquid management without compromising overall strength.
2Length of stationary object
If the amount of cellulose fibre or other support material is reduced and/or larger amounts of absorbent polymer materials are used, then the absorbent article becomes thinner and more flexible, but the liquid absorption and distribution performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid management structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: channel zones for liquid distribution and confinement zones for containing the absorbent material. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring effective liquid absorption and distribution even in a thinner article configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid management structure acts as an intermediary between the topsheet and the absorbent material, facilitating controlled liquid transfer. The channel zones provide pathways that mediate liquid flow from the topsheet through to the absorbent material, while the confinement zones ensure the liquid follows the intended path, improving overall liquid management performance.
3Reliability
If a top core wrap sheet is used to enclose the absorbent material, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and raw material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid management structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, creates liquid distribution channels, confines the absorbent material, and eliminates the need for a separate top core wrap sheet. This multi-functionality reduces raw material usage while maintaining structural integrity that would otherwise require additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid management structure merges the functions of structural support and liquid management into a single component, eliminating the need for a separate top core wrap sheet. This consolidation reduces material usage and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural integrity previously provided by the wrap sheet.
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 liquid distribution and absorption capacities, reduces manufacturing costs, and provides better structural integrity, resulting in a thinner, more efficient absorbent article with improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid management structure covers at least a surface portion of the absorbent material and comprises at least one connecting portion which is attached to the bottom core wrap sheet forming at least one attachment zone. At the at least one attachment zone any one of the following conditions or any combination thereof is fulfilled: less absorbent material is present as compared to other regions of the absorbent core, substantially no absorbent material is present, the liquid management structure is attached to the bottom core wrap sheet.
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the liquid pervious topsheet and the liquid impervious backsheet; said absorbent article having a first and second longitudinal edge and a first and second transverse edge; wherein the absorbent core comprises a bottom core wrap sheet, absorbent material, and a liquid management structure, wherein the absorbent material is positioned directly between the bottom core wrap sheet and the liquid management structure; and wherein the liquid management structure covers at least a surface portion of the absorbent material and comprises at least one channel portion forming at least one channel zone in the absorbent core.