Absorbent Article Transverse Reinforcing Elements Leakage Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins and incontinence pads, often experience leakage of body fluids due to compression by the wearer's body, as they lack sufficient leakage protection and sustainable force against compressive forces.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reinforcing structure with transverse channels that increase the absorbent core's density and compressive modulus, providing improved leakage protection and sustainable force against compressive forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional absorbent articles are made thicker to provide leakage protection, then absorption capacity is improved, but comfort and fit deteriorate due to bulkiness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage protectionVSAvoidcomfort and fit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a reinforcing structure with varying density distribution - the absorbent core has increased density specifically in the central region and along the transverse direction where leakage occurs, while other regions maintain normal density. This is achieved through controlled compression during manufacturing that creates a non-uniform density profile, providing targeted leakage protection without increasing overall product thickness or bulkiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If absorbent articles are compressed by the wearer's body to improve fit, then comfort is improved, but leakage protection deteriorates due to compression of the absorbent structure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefitVSAvoidleakage protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the absorbent core during manufacturing to create a reinforcing structure with higher density and enhanced compressive strength. This pre-applied compression creates a structure that can withstand subsequent compression forces from the wearer's body, maintaining leakage protection even when compressed during use. The reinforcing elements are formed before the product is worn, preparing the structure to resist future compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the absorbent core density is increased to provide sustainable force against compression, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the density parameter of the absorbent core through controlled compression during manufacturing. The compression force, duration, and distribution are adjusted to create the desired density profile - higher density in the central region and along transverse lines. This parameter change transforms the absorbent core's physical properties to provide enhanced compressive strength without requiring complex additional structures or materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The absorbent article with transverse reinforcing elements effectively prevents leakage and maintains structural integrity under compressive forces, enhancing protection and comfort for the wearer.

Implementation Method 1

the absorbent core has an average density in the range of about 5 to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS9655788B2Absorbent article having traverse reinforcing element
Publication Date: 2017.05.23 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • US9655788B2 patent drawing
  • US9655788B2 patent drawing
  • US9655788B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, a fluids source area, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels may be disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of in the range of about 5% to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area.