Absorbent Article Second Sheet With Through-Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent articles face challenges in enhancing urine absorption performance and reducing top sheet wettability, which affects the wearing comfort.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second sheet composed of a laminate with a nonwoven fabric layer and a plastic film layer between the top sheet and the absorbent body, featuring through-holes that facilitate rapid urine transfer to the absorbent body while preventing urine from returning to the top sheet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a second sheet is added between the top sheet and absorbent body, then urine absorption performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine absorption performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second sheet is divided into a nonwoven fabric layer and a plastic film layer, with the nonwoven fabric layer further segmented into multiple regions (first, second, and third regions) with different properties. This segmentation allows each layer and region to perform specific functions: the nonwoven fabric layer draws urine through capillary action, while the plastic film layer prevents urine return, collectively improving urine absorption performance without requiring a completely separate complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second sheet uses a composite structure combining nonwoven fabric material and plastic film material. The nonwoven fabric layer provides capillary action for urine drawing, while the plastic film layer provides impermeability to prevent urine return. This composite material approach allows the second sheet to simultaneously achieve urine absorption and prevention of urine return, improving overall performance while maintaining structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of substance

If the nonwoven fabric layer volume is reduced through heat-embossing, then urine return to top sheet is decreased, but drawing effect may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine return amountVSAvoiddrawing effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nonwoven fabric layer is designed with different regions having different local qualities: the first region (closer to top sheet) has higher loft and thickness for strong urine drawing capability, while the third region (closer to absorbent body) has lower loft and thickness to prevent urine return. This local quality differentiation allows each region to optimize its function, ensuring both drawing effect and prevention of urine return are achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The second sheet acts as an intermediary layer between the top sheet and absorbent body. The nonwoven fabric layer within the second sheet serves as a mediator that draws urine from the top sheet toward the absorbent body through capillary action, while the plastic film layer mediates to prevent urine from returning to the top sheet. This intermediary structure effectively controls urine movement direction and prevents unwanted urine return.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If through-holes are formed in the second sheet, then urine transfer to absorbent body is accelerated, but structural integrity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine transfer speedVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The second sheet incorporates through-holes that create a porous structure, allowing urine to rapidly transfer from the top sheet side to the absorbent body side. The porous structure formed by the through-holes accelerates urine movement while the surrounding nonwoven fabric and plastic film materials maintain the overall structural integrity of the second sheet, preventing structural failure despite the presence of holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 configuration enhances urine absorption performance and reduces top sheet wettability, thereby improving wearing comfort by ensuring efficient liquid management and minimizing skin contact with moisture.

Implementation Method 1

urine and the like absorbed by the top sheet is rapidly drawn into the second sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

urine and the like which has reached the absorbent body is prevented from returning to the top sheet side by the presence of the plastic film layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic barrier: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

urine and the like which has reached the second sheet further transfers to the absorbent body through the through-holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10780000B2Absorbent article having laminated second sheet with through-holes

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 LIVEDO CORP

AI summary

An absorbent article (1) comprising a top sheet (2), a back sheet (3), an absorbent body (4) disposed therebetween and a second sheet (10) disposed between the top sheet (2) and the absorbent body (4), wherein the second sheet (10) is composed of a laminate having a nonwoven fabric layer (11) and a plastic film layer (12) from the top sheet side and has a plurality of through-holes (13).