Absorbent Article Surface Material Color Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles with yellow-tinted absorbers can appear dirty due to the yellow color being visible through the surface material, affecting user perception of cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article design featuring a liquid-permeable sheet with specific L*a*b* color values (L* ≥ 88, a* 0 to 0.3, b* −8 to 0) covering an absorber with b* values 1 to 5 and L* values 93 or more, ensuring the absorber appears non-yellow and non-dark when viewed through the sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the absorber is made with conventional materials, then absorption function is achieved, but the absorber appears yellow-tinged when viewed through the surface material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change principle by selecting specific color parameters for the surface material (L*≥88, a* 0 to 0.3, b* −8 to 0) that counteract the yellow tint of the absorber (b* 1 to 5). This color coordination ensures that when the absorber is viewed through the surface material, the yellow appearance is neutralized and the absorber appears white or light-colored, resolving the visual harm while maintaining absorption function.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface material acts as an intermediary layer between the user's perception and the absorber. By carefully controlling the optical properties (light transmittance 30-70% and specific L*a*b* color values) of this intermediate layer, the patent masks the yellow tint of the absorber without affecting the absorber's core absorption function, thus resolving the appearance issue while preserving the absorption capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the surface material is made opaque to hide the absorber color, then the yellow tint is concealed, but liquid permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter change principle by precisely controlling the light transmittance of the surface material within 30-70% and setting specific L*a*b* color parameters (L*≥88, a* 0 to 0.3, b* −8 to 0). This optimized parameter range provides sufficient opacity to conceal the absorber's yellow tint while maintaining adequate liquid permeability for proper absorbent article function, thus resolving the contradiction between concealment and permeability.
3Reliability
If the surface material is made highly translucent to maintain liquid permeability, then liquid permeability is maintained, but the yellow tint of the absorber becomes visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the surface material's optical parameters within specific ranges: light transmittance of 30-70% and L*a*b* color values (L*≥88, a* 0 to 0.3, b* −8 to 0). These parameter changes create a balance where the surface material is sufficiently translucent to maintain liquid permeability while having enough optical density and color characteristics to mask the absorber's yellow tint, thus simultaneously achieving both requirements.
4Loss of information
If the absorber is viewed directly, then the true color is seen, but the appearance is yellow-tinged which may make users feel dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The surface material serves as an optical intermediary that modifies the visual appearance of the absorber. By controlling its light transmittance (30-70%) and color properties (L*≥88, a* 0 to 0.3, b* −8 to 0), the surface material filters and modifies the light passing through to the absorber and reflecting back to the user, thereby masking the yellow tint and presenting a cleaner, whiter appearance without completely blocking the view of the absorber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies color change principle by selecting surface material color parameters (L*≥88, a* 0 to 0.3, b* −8 to 0) that are specifically designed to counteract the yellow tint (b* 1 to 5) of the absorber. This color coordination creates a visual neutralization effect where the combined appearance of surface material plus absorber appears white or light-colored rather than yellow, thus eliminating the dirty appearance perception while maintaining visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article that includes an absorber capable of absorbing a body fluid of a user, a liquid-permeable sheet covering one surface of the absorber and allowing a body fluid of the user to pass through, and a liquid-impermeable sheet covering another surface of the absorber and disallowing a body fluid of the user to pass through, wherein the color of the liquid-permeable sheet has an L* value of 88 or more, an a* value of 0 to 0.3 and a b* value of −8 to 0 in the L*a*b* color system, and the color of the absorber has a b* value of 1 to 5 and an L* value of 93 or more in the L*a*b* color system.