Absorbent Article Fluid Shrinkable String Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent articles, such as feminine care products, often experience leakage issues due to the inability to maintain close body contact, especially along side regions, leading to discomfort and social embarrassment for users, particularly women, during heavy flow days or unexpected fluid gushes.
Innovation Solution
The development of an absorbent article featuring a deformable barrier structure with a fluid shrinkable string that deforms in three dimensions upon fluid insult, creating a closer body fit and enhancing leakage protection without adding bulk, by shrinking and pulling the barrier structure inward to form a leakage barrier between the user and the peripheral edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid barrier structures are used to prevent leakage, then leakage protection is improved, but the article becomes bulky and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic deformable form that can change its shape and volume in response to fluid contact. The barrier is designed to be flat and compact during normal wear, then deform into a three-dimensional containment structure when fluid is detected, providing leakage protection only when needed without constant bulk
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the barrier structure (shape, volume, rigidity) are changed in response to fluid insult. The barrier transitions from a flat two-dimensional configuration to a raised three-dimensional configuration, changing its geometric parameters dynamically to provide leakage protection while maintaining a compact form during normal use
2Reliability
If close body fit is achieved to prevent leakage, then leakage protection is improved, but comfort is reduced due to constant contact
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier structure dynamically adjusts its proximity to the body, maintaining a comfortable distance during normal wear and only making close contact when fluid insult occurs. This dynamic positioning provides leakage protection only when necessary while preserving user comfort during typical use
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid barrier structures are used to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but the barrier is easily flattened during use reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier structure's rigidity parameter is changed dynamically - remaining flexible and conformable during normal use, then becoming structurally stable when raised into its three-dimensional containment configuration upon fluid contact, maintaining its shaped form to prevent leakage
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 solution effectively reduces the likelihood of leakage by maintaining fluid within the pad and providing enhanced comfort and confidence for users, even on heavy flow days, by ensuring a closer body fit and improved leakage protection without increasing bulk.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid shrinkable string attached to the deformable barrier structure in a pattern capable of providing forces to the barrier structure in both the longitudinal and transverse direction when insulted by a user
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an absorbent article including an absorbent core and at least one barrier structure having a fluid shrinkable string attached thereto, wherein insult of the fluid shrinkable string by the user causes deformation of the peripheral edge of the barrier structure in the z-direction forming a leakage barrier between the user and the peripheral edge of the barrier structure.