Absorbent Article Exterior Sheet for Moisture Release and Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles face issues with moisture retention due to hydrophobic exterior sheets inhibiting moisture evaporation, erroneous indicator detection with hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics, and attachment peeling from hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article design includes a breathable film on the non-skin side with a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric overlapping in the thickness direction to facilitate moisture discharge, uses hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and liquid-impermeable film overlap to prevent indicator errors, and incorporates hydrophilic nonwoven fabric with longer fibers to secure attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydrophobic exterior sheet member is provided on the non-skin side of the breathable film, then liquid impermeability is improved, but moisture discharge is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior sheet member is divided into a first exterior sheet member (hydrophobic, liquid-impermeable) and a second exterior sheet member (hydrophilic, moisture-discharge). This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function: the first layer prevents liquid leakage while the second layer promotes moisture evaporation, resolving the contradiction between liquid impermeability and moisture discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the exterior sheet member have different hydrophilicity properties. The first exterior sheet member has hydrophobic properties for liquid impermeability, while the second exterior sheet member has hydrophilic properties for moisture discharge. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous achievement of both liquid barrier and moisture evaporation functions.
2Measurement precision
If an indicator is provided on hydrophilic nonwoven fabric to detect excrement, then detection capability is improved, but erroneous detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior sheet member is segmented into first and second layers with different hydrophilicity. The indicator is placed on the first exterior sheet member (hydrophobic) which does not absorb sweat, while the second exterior sheet member (hydrophilic) absorbs moisture. This segmentation prevents sweat from reaching the indicator, eliminating erroneous detection while maintaining excrement detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first exterior sheet member acts as an intermediary barrier between sweat and the indicator. Being hydrophobic, it prevents sweat (which would cause erroneous detection) from reaching the indicator, while still allowing the indicator to detect excrement when present on the absorbent core.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is used for the exterior sheet, then moisture discharge is improved, but attachment bonding is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior sheet member is divided into two layers: the first layer (hydrophobic) provides strong bonding for attachments, while the second layer (hydrophilic) provides moisture discharge capability. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior sheet member uses a composite structure combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. The first exterior sheet member uses hydrophobic material for strong attachment bonding, while the second exterior sheet member uses hydrophilic material for moisture discharge, creating a composite system that achieves both functions simultaneously.
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
Enhances moisture discharge, reduces indicator errors, and prevents attachment peeling, improving wearer comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
moisture such as urine absorbed by the absorbent core is made to permeate the breathable film as water vapor and to be evaporated to the outside
Implementation Method 2
the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric and the liquid-impermeable film at least partially overlap each other when viewed in a thickness direction
Data Source
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AI summary
An absorbent article 2001 includes a liquid-absorbent absorbent main body 2010; an exterior member 2040 that is provided on a non-skin side with respect to the absorbent main body 2010, the exterior member 2040 having a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 2042 on a non-skin side, the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 2042 containing a hydrophilic oil agent, the absorbent article 2001 has an attachment 2080 that is attached with an adhesive to a non-skin-side surface of the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 2042, the hydrophilic nonwoven fabric 2042 having a fiber with a fiber length longer than a dimension of the attachment 2080, the dimension of the attachment 2080 being a smaller one of a dimension of the attachment 2080 in a longitudinal direction and a dimension of the attachment 2080 in a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.