Apertured Topsheet Repeat Units for Absorbency and Softness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent articles with uniform aperture patterns in topsheets do not provide a customized look and can complicate bodily exudate penetration, affecting penetration, absorbency, softness, run-off, and rewet performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a topsheet with a repeating pattern of apertures comprising a plurality of repeat units, with effective open areas ranging from 5% to 30%, to enhance both aesthetic appeal and functional performance, balancing absorbency and softness while minimizing exudate run-off and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If uniform aperture patterns are used in topsheets, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aesthetic appeal and customized look are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture pattern is segmented into multiple repeat units (e.g., 2x2, 3x3 grids) with varying aperture sizes, shapes, and spacing within each unit. This segmentation allows the overall pattern to be aesthetically appealing while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through repetitive modular units that can be produced using standard aperturing equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If effective open area is increased to improve absorbency, then bodily exudate penetration is enhanced, but softness and comfort are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveabsorbencyVSAvoidsoftness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the repeat units contain apertures of different sizes and densities. Larger apertures are positioned in areas requiring higher absorbency, while smaller apertures or denser patterns are placed in regions where softness is prioritized. This local variation in aperture quality allows the topsheet to simultaneously achieve good absorbency overall while maintaining softness in contact areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 repeating pattern of apertures provides a visually appealing topsheet that maintains effective bodily exudate penetration, absorbency, and reduces rewet, while ensuring adequate absorption without compromising softness.

Implementation Method 1

Apertures may be formed in the topsheet to allow bodily exudate penetration through the topsheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetration:

Implementation Method 2

an absorbent core disposed at least partially the topsheet and the backsheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

to allow the bodily exudates to penetrate the topsheet and be absorbed by the hydrophilic layers underneath the topsheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4335420B1Absorbent articles with substrates having repeating patterns of apertures comprising a plurality of repeat units

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

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AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to absorbent articles with substrates or topsheets having repeating patterns of apertures comprising a plurality of repeat units. Each of the repeat units comprises at least three apertures.