Apertured Topsheet Layout for Fast-Absorbing Feminine Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feminine hygiene pads face challenges in achieving a topsheet material that is soft, breathable, and effective in rapidly absorbing menstrual fluid while minimizing rewetting and reducing visibility of absorbent components.

Innovation Solution

A nonwoven topsheet material with strategically arranged apertures and a blend of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers, combined with a fluid management layer, to enhance fluid acquisition and prevent rewetting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a nonwoven topsheet material is used to provide softness and breathability, then comfort is improved, but fluid acquisition speed and transfer rate may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidfluid acquisition speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The topsheet incorporates apertures ranging from 10 micrometers to 2 millimeters in size, creating a porous structure that enables rapid fluid acquisition and transfer while preserving the soft nonwoven material. The apertures are distributed in specific patterns (random, linear, or circular) to optimize both comfort and fluid management performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Speed

If the topsheet is made more permeable to rapidly transfer fluid, then fluid transfer speed is improved, but opacity and resistance to rewetting may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid transfer speedVSAvoidresistance to rewetting

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The topsheet features spatially varying aperture distributions with different characteristics in different regions. The central region (between wearer's legs) has apertures optimized for rapid fluid acquisition, while lateral regions (near waistband) have different aperture patterns that provide opacity and rewet resistance. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of conflicting properties in different zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If larger apertures are used to increase fluid acquisition, then fluid transfer rate is improved, but visibility of staining through the topsheet increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid transfer rateVSAvoidvisibility of staining

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture size and distribution vary by location: larger apertures (up to 2 mm) are concentrated in the central fluid acquisition zone, while smaller apertures or different patterns are used in lateral regions to maintain opacity and reduce staining visibility. This localized differentiation resolves the trade-off between fluid transfer rate and opacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Speed

If hydrophilic fibers are used to rapidly absorb and transfer fluid, then fluid acquisition is improved, but resistance to rewetting is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid acquisitionVSAvoidresistance to rewetting

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The topsheet employs a composite fiber system combining hydrophilic fibers (for rapid fluid acquisition and transfer) with hydrophobic fibers (for rewet resistance). This composite structure allows the material to simultaneously exhibit fast wicking properties and resistance to fluid re-absorption, resolving the contradiction between acquisition speed and rewet protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite 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

The solution provides a topsheet that is soft and breathable, rapidly absorbs fluid, minimizes rewetting, and reduces visibility of absorbent components, enhancing user comfort and performance.

Implementation Method 1

functions to rapidly receive and pass discharged menstrual fluid downwardly therethrough to absorbent components beneath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

avoidance or resistance to 're-wetting' by fluid residing in the absorbent components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

An absorbent structure disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and comprising a fluid management layer and a storage layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12622820B2Feminine hygiene pad with differing functional arrangements of topsheet apertures

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A feminine hygiene pad is disclosed. The disclosed pad has a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and has a topsheet including a nonwoven web, a backsheet, and an absorbent structure between the topsheet and the backsheet. The nonwoven web includes at least a first arrangement of first apertures having a first average size, and a second arrangement of second apertures having a second average size. The first average size is greater than the second average size. The first arrangement occupies a rectangular central region centered about the longitudinal axis and straddling the lateral axis. The first average size is 0.4 mm2 to 0.6 mm2; and the central region has an Average Percent Open Area of 1 to 12 percent. The second arrangement occupies one or more regions laterally and/or longitudinally outboard of the central region, and the second average size is 0.05 mm2 to 0.2 mm2.